Q — Dictionary of Quarrying Terms

QA: abbr. see ‘quality assurance’.

QPA: abbr. Quarry Products Association

quadrant bearing: Quadrant bearings are measured from 0-90° east or west of north or south.

quality assurance: The planned and systematic actions necessary to give confidence that a product or service will satisfy the necessary quality requirements. BS 5750 sets out the basis for the quality systems applicable.

quality control: The operational procedures used to fulfill requirements for quality.

quality management: The management functions which determine and implement a firm’s quality policy.

quarry: An open pit or excavation from which stone, sand, gravel or mineral is extracted. For the legal meaning see section 180 of the Mines and Quarries Act 1954.

quartering: The reduction of a sample to a desired volume by dividing a cone of material into four quarters and combining alternate quadrants. This is repeated until a sample of the required quantity is obtained.

quartz: Oxide of silicon Si0₂ (silica). Common mineral in acid igneous rocks and forms bulk of sandstones and quartzites.

quartzite: A metamorphic variety of sandstone composed of grains of quartz cemented together by silica. It is a very hard rock usually whitish in colour.

Quaternary: The latest era of geological time, from 2 million years ago to the present.

quickset level: A levelling instrument supported on a ball-and socket joint instead of three levelling screws.