Introduction

For a long time now, the world has been experiencing major population growth. According to data from the United Nations Organization (UNO), in 1950 the world population was around 2.6 billion people and in 1987 this figure had already increased by 100%, reaching the mark of more than 5 billion individuals [1]. Currently, the population growth rate in the world does not reach 1.2% per year and this rate is decreasing over time [2], but the Earth has already surpassed the 7.8 billion mark.

As a result, demand across all areas was also affected and rose sharply. To meet the needs arising from this increase, engineers around the world were compelled to take ever-greater steps to optimize all existing processes, machines, materials, and structures, and to develop new methodologies and technologies.

Furthermore, when it comes to the construction of structures—whether residential, commercial, or infrastructure—the progress made in recent years has been immeasurable. Subsequently, this knowledge has been widely disseminated, covering everything from design to calculation, analysis, materials technology, and construction techniques. [3]

However, there are negative consequences to this development, as it has led to an increase in the risks involved. Even so, errors can occur, resulting in premature deterioration and structural defects, or even fatal accidents. [3] Kot verifies projects carried out by other companies to certify their quality. Read on to learn a little about CQP!

Project Quality Certification - CQP

The Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) states: “The assessment of a design’s compliance must be performed by a qualified, independent professional—other than the designer—who is appointed and hired by the contracting party, and must be recorded in a specific document that will accompany the design documentation…,” thereby making the assessment of compliance for concrete designs mandatory. In order to meet the requirements of the NBR standard and given the complexity involved in the preparation of construction designs for steel or concrete structures, Kot provides Project Quality Certification (CQP).

In general, the scope of this service can vary significantly depending on the client’s needs and the final subject of study; however, the steps typically carried out by the company during the CQP are listed below for steel structures, foundations, and reinforced concrete structures.

• • Understanding the project in order to ensure its correct verification, to avoid problems during the construction phase;

• • Evaluate the project's calculations and assumptions;

• • Carrying out structural simulations to check projects;

• • Review and validation of technical drawings;

• • Analysis of the assembly sequence of the structures;

• • Accompanying and/or recommending the manufacture, assembly, disassembly and maintenance of structures in accordance with regulatory standards.

Next, suggestions for improvements or corrections to address nonconformities identified during the inspections may be made. 

In fact, accidents involving structures typically have serious consequences, including significant financial, environmental, and humanitarian losses. Incidents such as the collapse of bridges and overpasses can result in fatalities, environmental risks, and losses amounting to millions of reais. For this reason, all of this can be prevented by conducting design quality certification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reading this text highlights the growing need for structures to meet population demands that have increased exponentially in recent decades, whether related to housing, employment, or infrastructure (such as bridges, overpasses, and footbridges). Furthermore, to meet the requirements set forth in standards, it is important that projects undergo the certification process to ensure they comply with these requirements, thereby preventing errors and nonconformities that could potentially lead to accidents.

Furthermore, obtaining project quality certification offers significant financial benefits when compared to the potential impacts associated with project errors. Thus, investing in Project Quality Certification reinforces the business’s commitment to sustainability, strengthening its social, environmental, and financial commitments. 

Consequently, Kot’s team includes civil and mechanical engineers qualified to perform quality certifications for your project on structures such as highway bridges, railroad bridges, and overpasses. The company’s mission is to develop engineering solutions with excellence, and it has the expertiseto assess your needs.

If you, like our more than 150 clients, are looking for engineering solutions for your operation, contact our team and find out more about our services. Since 1993, we have specialized in developing engineering solutions using computational methods.

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FAQ

1. O que é a Certificação de Qualidade de Projetos (CQP) e qual a exigência normativa envolvida?

A CQP é a avaliação independente da conformidade do projeto, realizada por um profissional habilitado e sem vínculo com o projetista original. Conforme as diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT), como as normas aplicáveis a projetos de concreto, essa avaliação independente é obrigatória, devendo ser contratada pelo próprio contratante da obra e registrada em documento específico que acompanha os arquivos formais do projeto.

2. Quais fatores tornam a CQP uma necessidade iminente no cenário atual?

O crescimento populacional acelerado (ultrapassando a marca de 7,8 bilhões de habitantes) gerou uma demanda sem precedentes por novas infraestruturas habitacionais, industriais e de mobilidade. Para suprir essa alta demandada, os projetos tornaram-se mais arrojados e complexos, o que elevou a margem de risco. Erros de concepção ou de cálculo podem provocar a degradação precoce do ativo, o aparecimento de patologias graves ou até mesmo colapsos estruturais com consequências fatais e prejuízos milionários.

3. Quais tipos de estruturas e ativos podem passar pelo processo de CQP?

A Certificação de Qualidade de Projetos é aplicável a:

• Estruturas metálicas;

• Fundações;

• Estruturas de concreto armado.

O serviço atende a ativos críticos de infraestrutura e indústria, tais como pontes rodoviárias, pontes ferroviárias, viadutos, passarelas e edifícios industriais ou habitacionais.

4. Quais são as etapas desenvolvidas durante a realização da CQP?

O escopo do trabalho engloba seis fases principais:

1. Entendimento do projeto: Análise detalhada das premissas para evitar inconsistências durante a execução da obra;

2. Avaliação de memórias de cálculo: Verificação técnica das equações e premissas adotadas pelos projetistas originais;

3. Simulações estruturais: Realização de modelos computacionais independentes para checagem do comportamento da estrutura;

4. Revisão de desenhos técnicos: Validação do detalhamento executivo e das especificações;

5. Análise da sequência de montagem: Avaliação dos passos de construção e estabilidade temporária das estruturas;

6. Acompanhamento/Indicação técnica: Elaboração de diretrizes para fabricação, montagem, desmontagem e manutenção em conformidade com as normas regulamentadoras.

5. O que acontece quando o processo de CQP identifica falhas ou inconformidades no projeto?

Sempre que a equipe responsável pela CQP detecta desvios, erros de dimensionamento ou omissões normativas, são elaboradas e encaminhadas sugestões de correção e propostas de melhoria. Isso permite que o projeto seja ajustado antes da etapa de fabricação ou concretagem, eliminando riscos operacionais e retrabalhos na obra.

6. Qual o impacto financeiro e socioambiental da adoção da CQP?

A CQP representa uma expressiva economia financeira preventiva, visto que o valor investido na certificação é irrisório quando comparado aos custos de reparos, paralisações de obras, ações judiciais ou reconstruções decorrentes de sinistros. Do ponto de vista socioambiental, a certificação reforça o compromisso da empresa com a sustentabilidade e a segurança da sociedade, prevenindo impactos ambientais e protegendo vidas humanas.

References:

Cover image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/5fNmWej4tAA

[1] The world’s population is growing: it has doubled in half a century. O Tempo, December 7, 2020. Available at: https://www.tempo.com/noticias/ciencia/a-populacao-mundial-esta-disparando-dobrou-em-meio-seculo.html

[2] Population growth. Brasil Escola, [S.I]. Available at: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/o-crescimento-populacional-no-mundo.htm

[3] CMS, Vicente and R Thomaz, "Pathology, recovery and reinforcement of concrete structures" [S.I]. PNI, 1998.