A Guide to the Types & Components of Road Pavement

As the road carriageway, the road pavement is supported by layers of subgrade soil. The main purpose is to distribute vehicle loads evenly over the subgrade through the layers. Pavements should have sufficient skid resistance, good ride quality, good light reflection properties, and low noise emissions.

This is done so that the vehicles won’t exceed the sub-grade’s bearing capacity. In any construction project, road paving plays a pivotal role. Pavements for roads are generally either flexible or rigid. Wheel loads of heavy vehicular traffic carry in it. Vehicle loads should distribute over a large subgrade area.

The purpose of a smooth surface is to provide a safe driving surface for vehicles. You can prevent subgrade soil from being affected by weathering agents.

Requirements of Road Pavement

1. A sufficient layer of soil thickness is necessary on the sub-grade to take the stresses from wheel loads into account.

2. All types of stresses imposed on it must be able to withstand its strong structural integrity.

3. Having enough friction will prevent vehicles from skidding.

4. The surface should offer road users comfort even at high speeds.

5. When a vehicle travels over it, reduce the noise.

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Arka Roy
www.constructioncost.co

What is Grade Beam | Advantages and Disadvantage of Grade Beam

Grade beams are also known as foundation beams. A pile plate beam is built at ground level to connect pile caps and footings. It can also be defined as reinforced concrete which is constructed to act as horizontal ties to connect pile caps with footings.

The grade beam is a concrete member used to form a horizontal connection between a pile cap and footing. Grade beams are not the same thing as wall footing, as grade beams can bend and typically extend between the piling cap and caisson, whereas wall footing is directly attached to the soil, transferring weight directly from the wall to the foundation.

Grade beams also differ from strap footings because grade beams reinforce walls to disperse their load to different foundations while strap beams strengthen columns between the foundations. Spreads with moments greater than the lateral load can use it to reduce the size of each footing on a spread.

Grade Beams Construction Process

The following steps should complete manufacturing grade beams:

Preparation and Excavation should be done for Grade Beam

1. Depending on the level of the beam, trenches have to excavate.

2. It is also possible to construct these beams directly on the ground and then level it and frame it.

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Arka Roy
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Specific Gravity of Cement Test

The specific gravity of a material is the ratio of one Weight of Volume of material with another Weight of Volume of water. Simply put, we are comparing our Testing material like sand, cement, or aggregate with water at a specified temperature, and the volume of each is the same.

Density of Cement Test

Cement’s Specific Gravity can be determined by Le Chatelier’s Flask method, according to the principle of Le Chatelier.

You have to apply the principle of Le Chatelier to check the density, it is necessary to have the following equipment:

• Cement.
• Kerosene.
• This Specific Gravity Bottle comes with a stopper and has a 250 ml capacity.
• Weighing balance with 0.1 gm accurate.

Uses of Kerosene in Specific Gravity Test

Specific gravity is usually calculated using water. The specific gravity of cement can be determined with kerosene, however. Cembalin hydrates when reacting with water and forms calcium oxide. Mixing cement and kerosene won’t produce any reactions.

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Arka Roy
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Advantages & Disadvantages of Monolithic Slab Foundation

Concrete slabs and footings form with monolithic slab foundations using a single layer of concrete. Monolithic foundations are preferred because they reduce labor costs and make construction faster than other foundation types.

The footing of a monolithic slab foundation is typically 12 to 18 inches thick, while the slab is 4 to 6 inches thick. Monolithic foundations require an appropriately prepared site and reinforced concrete with wires and reinforcing bars.

Preparation of the Site

1. The soil beneath the slab is devoid of organic matter. Compacting and removing the topsoil is necessary.

2. It is up to the code enforcement to determine the type and placement of reinforcements. Monolithic slabs of ‘4’ rebar are commonly used. Metal bars called rebar places overlap, and you bind them together by placing them side by side in trenches.

3. Thick edges are the result of the trench along the edge of the slab. The depth and width of trenches are determined by building code officials. Warm climates use trenches that are 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep, while frost-heaved environments use trenches that are 1 foot wide and 2 feet deep.

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Arka Roy
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Preparation of Construction Sites in Various Stages

You should fully understand what goes into preparing a site. Even though it isn’t the most glamorous process in the world, site preparation is crucial to a construction project’s success. Construction works begin with site preparation. The chosen preparation set-up must complete before any construction can begin.

Define Site Preparation in Construction

The preparation of the construction site is a step that must be taken in advance of the beginning of other construction activities. Neither the failure nor the success of site preparation will affect how other construction activities execute on-site.

Site preparation is defined in such a way as to emphasize its importance to building construction. It is also highly recommended to implement a construction schedule software because it is highly important during the construction process.

Site preparation is also defined as a series of activities and tasks performed before engineers begin any work on a site. That will enable the construction of a new building, and the preparation of the site will be a lot easier.

Steps Involved in Site Preparation for Construction Projects

Site preparation needs to plan out. The following steps are described in detail:

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Installation of Stamped Concrete on a Construction Site

There is a lot of work involved in installing stamped concrete. Putting concrete down may not be problematic, but if imprinting is not properly done, you risk leaving a damaged slab that can become difficult and expensive to replace. When stamped concrete goes wrong, it is not easy to undo. Stamps must line up, patterns are laid correctly, and textures are correct. Add to that the fact that the entire process is slowed down by the fact that the concrete dries so quickly you can only stamp it in for just a few moments.

As long as you’re not thinking of DIY stamped concrete, then you can rest easy knowing you’re leaving all these variables to an experienced contractor to handle. Then take a look at this stamped concrete process overview. This will not give you a complete understanding of what is involved in stamped concrete when you do it yourself, but it will give you an overview of what is involved.

Sub-grade Preparation

Sub-grades affect the structural integrity and overall performance of the slab. Ideally, the soil under the concrete must be compacted well to prevent drainage and prevent soil erosion.

Placement of forms

A wooden, metal, or plastic form is attached to a stake to contain the concrete. It is vital that forms are in good condition, that the slope or grade for drainage is set correctly, and that they are installed in such a way that the corners about each other or structures separate neatly.

Reinforcement Installation

Steel reinforcing bars are required to provide structural support and function for the slab. As a result of reinforced slabs, cracks are controlled, structural capacity is added, impact resistance increases, and maintenance is decreased.

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Installation & Uses of Green Roofs Construction

As building owners and city planners realize the benefits of green roofs, they will be more likely to adopt this type of infrastructure. Residents of urban areas can benefit from green roofs in many ways. In terms of life cycle costs, green roofs cost the same as or less than conventional roofing and are an investment that offers multiple economic, environmental, and social benefits.

There is nothing new about green roofs. For hundreds, if not thousands, of years, they have been standard practice in many countries, primarily due to their superb insulation properties.

A green roof was viewed primarily as a vernacular practice until the mid-20th century. Germany and Switzerland, on the other hand, experienced a resurgence of interest in green roofs in 1960 in light of increasing concerns about degrading urban environments and the rapid reduction of green space.

Various new experiments were conducted on root repellents, membranes, drainage, and lightweight growing media in addition to plant suitability.

Benefit of Green Roofs

1. High water retention: It can runoff attenuation reduces sewer overflows.

2. Environmental Improvement

• Cooling & humidifying the surrounding air produces a beneficial mono-climate.
• It can soak green house gases.
• It can also soak dust & air pollution.
• It reduces the heat island effect that causes ozone production.

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Arka Roy
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List of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Alumina Cement

Calcium aluminates cement (CAC) and aluminous cement, both known as High Alumina Cement (HAC), are made of calcium aluminates instead of calcium silicates. Calcium carbonate and bauxite are the main ingredients.

Composition

Calcium aluminates cement is mainly composed of monocalcium aluminates (CaAl2O4, CaO, Al2O3, or CA). Additionally, it may contain other calcium aluminates and some less reactive phases from materials that contain impurities. The composition of aluminum can vary significantly depending on its application and purity.

Manufacturing

Taking a mixture of alumina and calcareous materials and mixing them in the appropriate proportions and sintering or fusing them and grinding them to a fine powder, high alumina cement is eventually produced. High alumina cement is primarily made from limestone and bauxite. Both of these ingredients were placed in the furnace.

A hot air blast is used in the furnace to burn pulverized coal or oil. About 1550°C to 1600°C is the temperature at which fusion takes place in the furnace. A liquid state is maintained in the furnace for cement. After filling the molds with the molten cement, it is cooled.

Castings such as these are called pigs. A black, finely crystalline compact rock, very similar in structure and hardness to basalt rock, results from cooking this molten cement. After cooling, the fused cement pigs are crushed & then ground in tube mils to a fineness of 3000sq.cm/gm.

Advantages of High Alumina Cement

1. More than 3.5 hours are required for this cement to set initially. Approximately 5 hours are required for setting. As a result, it provides more time for mixing and placing.

2. High temperatures are not a problem.

3. The process of setting generates a large amount of heat. As a result, it cannot be affected by frost.

4. The material resists acidic attacks better than other materials.

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Updated list of Civil Engineering Software in 2021

In the field of civil engineering, many types of software are available. With technological advancements, there is a dramatic increase in civil engineering software available. These are a selection of civil engineering software that is widely used throughout the world by many civil engineers.

Software for civil engineering encompasses both design and construction tools that are helpful to engineers. A project can be drafted and documented, designed, visualized, and analyzed with this software.

Civil Engineer Software List

Civil engineer software list is illustrious. So it is divided into various parts that are listed below.

1. Drafting & Drawing

AutoCAD

AutoCAD is a software application that allows you to design and draft using a computer. The AutoCAD desktop program was launched by Autodesk in December 1982 for microcomputers with integrated graphics controllers.

AutoCAD should be well-understood. It’s easy to use, so that’s a good thing. A quick way to work with AutoCAD is to know short tricks.

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Arka Roy
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Accidents at Construction Sites – Causes & Prevention Tips

The likelihood of a major accident can still occur even if construction firms take precautions. It’s not uncommon for construction accidents to happen on own. This happens due to a cascade of events leading up to the incident.

Falls

Construction sites are prone to fall risks, which should not be surprising. In 2016, 1000 deaths of construction site workers were caused by this cause.

A construction site may not always be equipped with appropriate fall protection. Safety issues in scaffolding construction can also pose a hefty risk, especially since scaffolding safety issues are one of the most frequent causes of falls.

Employers must protect their workers and contractors in the workplace. There are several ways to reduce the risk of falling while working, such as harnesses, toe rails around open platforms, handrails, and personal protective equipment.

Slips & Trips

Construction sites present a particular danger, one of the reasons for most workplace accidents. Myriad hazards, such as holes, equipment, uneven terrain, or weather conditions, can cause slipping or falling. Despite training and precautions, accidents are still possible.

Worker awareness of work-related hazards is paramount. Employers can reduce risk by emphasizing caution, marking any slip and trip hazards, and encouraging workers to stay alert.

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Arka Roy
www.constructioncost.co