Brief overview of Reinforced Concrete Materials

Concrete is a artificial product formed by solidifying the mixture of cement, sand, gravel and water in prearranged ratios. Once these compounds are blended, a plastic mass is developed that can be poured in appropriate moulds known as forms and placed standing into rigid solid mass. The chemical reaction of cement and water, in the alloy, is comparatively sluggish and needs sufficient time and perfect temperature for it completion. This time is also called ‘setting time’ and it is segregated into three separate stages. The first stage is labeled as time of initial set that tooks 30 to 60 minutes to be completed. Throughout this stage, the mixed concrete reduces its plasticity and forms apparent resistance to flow. The second stage is called final set and it takes 5 to 6 hours once the mixing process is completed. Throughout this stage, concrete becomes comparatively soft solid devoid of surface rigidity. The third stage contains progressive hardening and the strength is increased significantly. The method is very fast in the primary phase, till around one month once the mixing is completed. In this period, the concrete achieves the maximum capacity for hardness and strength.

Based on the quality and ratios of the compounds utilized in the mix, the properties of concrete differ. Concrete contains sufficient strength in compression but fewer strength in tension. Because of this, concrete becomes feeble in bending, shear and torsion. Therefore, application of plain concrete is restricted where strong compressive strength and weight are mostly required as well as tensile stresses are either completely missing or considerably low. So, in order to apply cement concrete for general structures like beams, slabs, retaining structures etc. steel bars are arranged at tensile zones of the structure which are concreted later on. The steel bars also called steel reinforcement, is implanted in the concrete and acquire the tensile stresses. The produced concrete is called as reinforced cement concrete generally shortened as RCC.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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What is Segregation of Concrete?

Segregation of concrete means parting of components of concrete from each other. A superior quality concrete contains various aggregates which are uniformly coated with sand and cement paste and develops a uniform mass. While dealing, transporting and arranging concrete, the cement and sands are parted from coarse aggregate because of jolts and vibrations. If concrete is separated throughout transportation, it must be remixed correctly prior to deposit. It is recommended not to use a concrete if initial setting time of it is ended.

Segregation of Concrete occurs due to following reasons:

1) Applying high water-cement ratio in concrete. This may occur if the concrete is blended at      jobsite by inexperienced workers.

2) Too much vibration of concrete with mechanical needle vibrators result in placing heavier      particles at bottom and lighter cement sand paste arrives on top.

3) If concreting is performed from height for underground foundations and rafts, it may              cause concrete to separate

How to get rid of Segregation of Concrete:

When depth of concreting is over 1.5 meters, it should be arranged through temporary inclined chutes. The angle of inclination should be maintained between 1:3 and 1:2 in oder that concrete from top of chutes moves easily to bottom. Applying small amount of free water from top at intermissions allows in lubricating the path of flow of concrete to bottom easily. The delivery end of chute must be closer to the point of deposit.

Segregation in deep foundations and rafts of thickness over 1 meter may cause segregation of concrete near bottom or in center. In this case, proper observation should be taken. To identify this type of segregation, ultrasonic testing process can be used. To clear any confusion, random ultrasonic testing method is applied. This type of segregation is corrected by pressure grouting with special chemical compounds. If any fault is corrected by pressure grouting, core test is done to make sure that the strength of concrete is achieved with optimal level.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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Detailed processes for bond beam concrete block construction

A “bond beam” refers to a reinforced element that is placed horizontally in a masonry wall to withstand shear loads as well as disperse lateral loads all through the wall section. The bond beam transmits horizontal strength to a wall where it is not possible to be fortified with floor or roof structure. Bond beams enclose steel reinforcing in grout or concrete, ties the structure all together horizontally, and frequently interlock with supplementary vertical reinforcement. A bond beam is generally built adjacent to the top of a freestanding wall. A bond can also be applied to deliver a stable anchorage toward floor or roof structure. Bond beam assemblies are generally found in construction made with concrete masonry units, where special shapes allow the beam to be merged with the wall construction, but may also be constructed with brick or developed in concrete.

A single bond beam contains two courses of AB Fence Panel Block and their cores are filled through sand mix grout. Horizontal steel is arranged amid the two courses of block and reinforce the whole bond beam. To provide extra support, wire stirrups are arranged in each of the first two cores from each end and almost each other core with at least one stirrup per block, to make sure that the courses are not detached. This bond beam configuration develops a robust structural beam that can easily reinforce the fence panel structure. Bond beams are mostly applied at the top and bottom of the fence panel to produce a coordinated fence panel structure. Intermediate bond beams are necessary when the height of the AB Fence is raised.

Bond beams are occasionally haphazardly arranged in walls as a stiffening or tie element at tops of walls, floor connections, and top of foundation walls. Intermediate bond beams are generally not essential if not required to withstand shear stresses or to satisfy minimum seismic reinforcement requirements.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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HVAC Estimating Software

HVAC estimating software provides great benefits to mechanical, piping, plumbing or sheet metal estimator to estimate the material and labor cost required to build a heating and cooling ventilating system. In order to find out the total cost estimate for the HVAC ventilating system all facets of material and labor cost are documented. A wide-ranging bill of materials supported with detailed design criteria and specifications for the HVAC system are generated alongwith related labor cost for manufacturing and installing a system in a building.

HVAC estimating softwares

• FastDuct
• FastPIPE
• FastWRAP
• Autobid Sheet Metal

 

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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How to determine zero force members in truss structures

This construction video provides useful information on how to make solution for zero force members in a truss. The video is very useful for the students who will appear in PE exam.

Occasionally in truss structure, under specific loading configuration, there exist some members that do not bear the load. These members are defined as zero-force members and generally utilized to enhance the strength of truss as well as deliver future supports when the implemented loading configuration is modified. The method of inspection is applied to define these zero-force members. Under this method, every joint in a truss structure is analyzed one by one.

Given below some useful tips to determine the zero-force members in truss structures:

• If a joint contains only two members without any external load or support, then those two members belong to zero-force members.

• If a joint contains only two members and is loaded, then when the line of action of consequential force from applied loads at the joint lies in the same straight line with one of the members then the other member belongs to a zero-force member. If the consequential force at the joint is not lying in the same straight line with either member, then both members do not belong to zero-force members.

• If a joint contains members without any external load and/or support, then when two of the members are lying in the same straight line then the non-collinear member belongs to a zero-force member.

In brief, zero-force members are detectable at a joint containing two members with or without applied load(s) and at a joint containing three members in which there does not exit any applied load. The objective is to focus on the specific joint being examined.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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How construction projects are completed successfully before schedule with Microsoft HoloLens Technology

Now-a-days builders are using digital technology like Microsoft HoloLens in their construction projects to visualize projects and detect any omission earlier and save huge savings in overall construction costs.

As for instance Gilbane, a leading commercial construction firm, used HoloLens to examine a mockup of a project. It was detected that steel frames the company intended to order to provide support to walls of the building were excessively long to match the design. Being able to detect the issue earlier, the company instructed the supplier to trim the frames shorter in the shop in spite of changing dozens of tracks that would retain the frames in place. Thus, Gilbane saved roughly $5,000 in labor costs.

HoloLens can arrange holographic images in its user’s physical environment and improve the efficiency so that the project can’t run over budget and behind schedule.

This easy-to-use estimating sheet contains database sheet where all the records for material and labor names, rates, and lbr factors can be entered. To perform this, just choose the required material/labor and put the amount while making the estimation. One can create as many work stages as per choice and get complete view of all of the material/labor costs with individual stage and total cost.

HoloLens is applied prior to develop a building to identify mistakes in the way ducts and pipes are arranged in office ceilings. It is a complex system that frequently captures more room than projected.

HoloLens facilitates the builders to easily move any 3d image of the project, enlarge the size of the model significantly, walk through the details of the actual construction, toggle diverse views on and off to see the detailed architectural and structural images together with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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How MB Estimating Spreadsheet is useful for electrical, plumbing, construction, or other business

This construction video highlights the features of MB Estimating Spreadsheet. This construction estimating sheet is very useful to accelerate your estimating process with superior perfectness. This spreadsheet provides huge benefits for the professionals who associated with electrical, plumbing, construction, or other business.

This easy-to-use estimating sheet contains database sheet where all the records for material and labor names, rates, and lbr factors can be entered. To perform this, just choose the required material/labor and put the amount while making the estimation. One can create as many work stages as per choice and get complete view of all of the material/labor costs with individual stage and total cost.

Go through the following link to download this estimating spreadsheet.

Download MB Estimating Spreadsheet

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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How To Lay Brick and Mix Cement Efficiently to Develop A Brick Wall

Get some useful construction tips on how to lay bricks and mix cement for a brickwall. To start the construction work from scratch, you require some good construction tools. Given below the detailed lists of construction tools :

• A brick trowel
• A spirit level
• A jointing bar
• A tape measure
• Line and pins
• A soft brush

Next you should learn how to mix cement.

Mixing cement is the most vital part of the construction processes. Ensure that you don’t keep it too wet or too dry for utilization. The work must be based on a ratio basis. You can mix in the ratio of 4:1 (4 part sand to 1 part water) or 3:1 (3 part sand to 1 part water). But remember, once you set the ratio, it should be maintained until the work is completed otherwise the mortar will be drying in various shades./p>

If you can arrange a cement mixer then the mixing can be done smoothly. To start the mixing process, you will require the following items:

• Building Sand
• Cement
• Water
• Feb (Mortar additive)

Given below the stepwise processes for mixing mortar in a cement mixer:

• Load a bucket with water and include two sachets of feb. Use approximately a quarter of it into the mixer and turn it on.

• Keep the water and the feb to rotate for about 30 secs. Then include your first 3 shovels of sand (4 if the ratio is 4:1) Keep it to blend with the water and feb for some time.

• When the sand has developed a steady mixture (apply more water if it hasn’t) and then include your shovel containing full of cement. Let it to be blended for some time and recur the step unless your mixer is packed. Include more water if required.‪

N.B.: Do not include water excessively. Initially, keep close eye on mixing process. It may appear too rigid but it frequently requires time to spin. If it still isn’t appearing to be perfect then include little water at a time.

Mixing manually

• Ensure you contain an expansive wooden board for mixing. You should require it.
• Tip your 3 sand and 1 cement onto the board and blend simultaneously dry with the shovel.
• Make a hole in the middle of your sand so it appears to be a volcano.
• Add the water and feb from the bucket and blend it completely again.
• Recur these methods unless you obtain as much Mortar as per your requirement.

To go through the complete article, visit the following link dengarden.com

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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Structural Analysis : How to check the stability of a structure

Proper investigation of structures stability is a vital aspect prior to start the analysis and design. Before starting the design of structures, it is important to verify whether the structure is stable or not.

In simple terms, stability signifies that structure doesn’t bear inflexible body motion and carries external forces and deforms.

To explain stability, two jargons are used – “Externally stable” and “Internally Stable” which are briefly explained in this video below. Structure becomes strong if and only it is stable from both externally and internally.

A skilled engineer can ensure the stability of structure through proper inspection as well as suggests necessary steps to transform an unstable structure to stable.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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Types of Engineering Surveying

Surveying is primarily categorized as below :

1. Plane surveying
2. Geodetic Surveying

Plane surveying refers to the survey in which the earth surface is considered as plane and the curvature of the earth is not taken into consideration. The plane surveys encompass only over lesser areas and the lines linking any two points on the surface of the earth are defined as straight lines and the angles among such lines are assumed as plane angles. To start with plane surveys, understanding of plane geometry and trigonometry is essential. In plane surveys, the covered are must be up to 260 km. In this regard, please remember that the variance in length among the arc and the subtended chord on the earth surface toward a distance of 18.2 km is only 0.1 m.

Geodetic Surveying refers to the particular type of surveying in which the shape of the earth should be considered primarily. All lines assigned in the surface are arc or curved lines and the angles belong to spherical angles. So, it contains spherical trigonometry. These measurements are applied for modifying curvature on maps and plans. Geodetic surveys also offer a wide array of control points over the Earth’s surface which produce perfect plane surveys. All Geodetic surveys comprise work of larger magnitude and superior degree of accuracy. The motive of geodetic survey is to obtain the exact position on the surface of the earth. Geodetic surveys are initiated with extreme degree of precision to arrange broadly spaced control points on the earth surface for successive plane surveys.

Categorization of surveying

Surveys are also secondarily categorized with no. of headings which describe the applications or objectiveØÇ of resulting maps.

Categorization is done on the basis of type of field and there are three types of surveying :

1. Land Surveying:It is further divided as i) Topographical survey ii) Cadastrial Survey and iii) City Survey. It usually handles natural or artificial features on land like rivers, streams, lakes, wood, hills, roads, railways, canals, towns, water supply systems, buildings & properties etc.

2. Marine Surveying:Marine or hydrographic survey handles bodies of water for navigation, water supply, harbour works or for assessing mean sea level. The work comprises measurement of discharge of streams, arranging topographic survey of shores and banks, consiering and discovering soundings to ascertain the depth of water as well as observing the variations of the ocean tide.

3. Astronomical Surveying:The astronomical survey provides the surveyor means of ascertaining the absolute location of any point or the absolute location of and direction of any line on the surface of the earth. ‪

There are four types of surveying which are given below:

1. Geological Surveying
2. Mine Surveying
3. Archaeological surveying
4. Military surveying

Categorization on the basis of types of instruments applied:

1. Chain surveying
2. Compass surveying
3. Plane table surveying
4. Theodolite surveying
5. Tacheometric surveying
6. Photographic surveying

Categorization on the basis of techniques used:

1. Triangulation surveying
2. Traverse surveying

Ref.: www.civileblog.com

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.constructioncost.co

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