A Guide to the Construction of Brick Walls

It is often combined with cement mortar to form brick walls called English Bonds, Flemish Bonds, and Rat Trap Bonds. Depending on the bond type, the wall may appear different from the outside. There is a pattern of staggered vertical joints throughout all construction systems of brick walls. Bonded bricks do not separate when living or deadweight applies to a wall.

Types of Brickwork

First Class Brickwork

Bricks and cement mortar used for making first-class brickwork should also be of the highest quality. Load-bearing walls are built with this brickwork. Rich mortar is used for making the mortar, in which the ratio of cement to sand is between 1:3 and 1:6.

A first-class brick has a uniform color and rings when it is struck. There is equal size and surface variation in the bricks. There are no cracks or chips in these bricks. Only 1/6 of one’s weight of first-class bricks is absorbed by water. After the bricks have dried, there are no salt residues. 105 kilograms per square meter is the minimum crushing strength of first-class bricks.

Second Class Brickwork

Cement mortar and second-class bricks are used to make a work of second-class brick. However, they lack the symmetry and regularity of good bricks. Bricks such as these shouldn’t be used for walls more than two stories high. The minimum crushing strength for second-class bricks is 70 kilograms per square meter.

Third Class Brickwork

Third-class bricks are used to construct this kind of brickwork along with cement mortar or mud mortar. Governmental bricks are never made to third-class standards work. The brickwork of this type is generally used for temporary construction in the private sector.

Apparatus

Mortar

Bricks, stones, and mortar are all made from the mortar. This binding agent is used to bind bricks, stones, or surfaces as claddings or wall coverings.

The most common mortar utilized in brickwork today is cement mortar. Though lime mortar is also used, its use is restricted due to its high level of craftsmanship.

Cement Mortar & its Precautions

In a concrete mortar, cement, sand, and water are mixed. As an adhesive, cement needs sand to fill in the spaces. During its wet state, cement mortar is plastic and can bind materials together. According to general definitions, mortars have a ratio of 1:2, 1:3, or 1:7.

Precautions

1. Dry, clean, flat surfaces should be used to mix the mix.
2. You should mix according to the specifications.
3. Mixing by volume is recommended.
4. It is best to use sufficient water to spread the mix easily over bricks or apply it vertically. The addition of water in excess of what is required can ruin the mix and reduce the strength of the masonry.
5. As soon as the mix is prepared, use it immediately.

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Crack Repairs and its Proper Preparation

Keeping moisture out of pavement by repairing cracks is an effective preventative measure that extends pavement life and prevents potholes from forming. A general sweep and a hand broom are usually used by contractors before crack sealing, but crack cleaning must continue after crack sealing.

The debris in cracks should be blown out with an air compressor or with a hot air lance. Every particle of dust, gravel, or similar debris in the crack weakens the sealant’s ability to adhere to the surface. The slightest droplets of moisture will seriously damage the quality of the repair if the sealant is not tightly bonded to the crack walls.

Define Foundation Crack Repair

The rigidity of foundations causes them to crack over time. Minor cracks are hardly ever a cause for concern, but major cracks should be repaired immediately. A building’s structural soundness can be affected by major cracks, which indicate substantial movement.

A structural or civil engineer should examine your foundation if you have many small cracks or any cracks greater than one quarter inch in width, even if they are not as foreboding as major cracks. As well as identifying the source of the crack, an engineer will help assess the extent of the damage. In that case, a geotechnical engineer may be required to provide solutions to the foundation crack.

Debris & Dirt Removal

It is necessary to clean out the crack after vegetation has been killed. Ensure that the crack channel is clean, dry, and free of loose materials. The cracks containing debris, vegetation, loose aggregate, or sand will fail prematurely because the sealant won’t adhere to the crack walls. Cracks are cleaned with compressed, dry clean air blown at high pressure.

When it comes to achieving appropriate cleanliness, it is recommended that a minimum use of 90 PSI.

Slowly blow debris forward of the nozzle while holding the nozzle about two inches from the surface. In the final pass, debris that might re-contaminate the joints must be removed from the general surface area.

A wire brush can break up a lot of clay or debris. Pavements with excessive dirt or contamination should remove oil spots and other contaminants. Air compressors must blow cracks clean after brushing.

Vegetation Destruction

In the cracks of unattended pavement, vegetation may have taken root if it has existed for a long time. Whenever crack repair is being completed, those plants need to be removed from the ground up.

Crack Dryness

The moisture material will likely fail in the pavement or cracks. When crack treatments are performed at night or when temperatures are below the dew point, moisture may be present in cracks in moist climates.

Cracks may look dry in these conditions & they may have moisture inside. A hot air lance ensures that moisture is removed from crack treatments. The crack surfaces should not be covered with dew if crack treatments are performed at night.

In addition, if the crack treatment temperature falls below the dew point, moisture is more likely to be present, and drying operations may be necessary.

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Hydropower for Construction Dams: A Proper Guide in Penstock

Hydroelectric power is a renewable source of energy that can be used for both domestic & mechanical purposes. The production of hydroelectric power occurs as the moving water spins a turbine that then activates a generator to produce electricity.

As the demand for renewable energy increases, modern nondestructive testing technologies can be used to ensure these critical structures are intact and operating efficiently.

Define Penstock

Penstocks are hydraulic structures that transmit fast streams of water under pressure from fore-bays or headrace tunnels to the power houses in order to run turbines and generate power.

Most commonly, it is used for surface water drainage and foul water sewage systems. While providing water to waste management facilities and power plants, it isolates discharges and controls the flow of water.

Penstock Workflow

An important component of a hydropower system is the penstock. Water is carried from the source to the turbine in the power station by penstocks, which are pressure vessels in the form of channels or pipes.

Their length, circumference, and number vary depending on the size of the facility. There are two sizes of penstocks at Hoover Dam. There are sixteen 13-foot diameter penstocks totaling 5,800 feet & one set is 30 feet in diameter.

In hydro turbines and sewerage systems, a penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that regulates water flow. Mill ponds and watermills influenced the term.

At mill sites, they are often used to maintain water flow through the mill wheel, or to dispense water into mill pools.

Hydroelectric Dams & Systems

A surge tank and a gate system are typically provided with hydroelectric penstocks. Depending on the application, they may include anchor blocks; drain valves, air bleed valves, and support piers.

1. Turbine operation controls flow, which is zero when turbines are not operating. The device is especially efficient in polluted water systems, and it requires hot water washing, manual cleaning, anti fouling coatings, and desiccation for proper performance.
2. Channels leading to and from high pressure sluice gates are also referred to as channels in irrigation dams.
3. Mine tailings dams are also constructed with them. Penstock rings are used to build up the penstock, which is located fairly close to the center of the tailings dam.
4. They allow the slimes to settle out of the water by maintaining the water level. Through a penstock pipeline, this water is piped back to the plant beneath the tailings dam.

Landfills

Several landfill sites have surface water management systems that include penstocks. In attenuation lagoons, storm-water is held, limiting discharge to predevelopment levels.

If the surface water becomes contaminated, the penstock can be sealed at the outfall from the lagoon. As a result, contamination of the environment will be controlled since the site will be isolated from the watercourse.

Anchor Block

The penstock carries water at tremendous pressure, exerting thrust at critical points, e.g. junctions, bends, etc. If this thrust is not supported or anchored, it may cause damage and the penstock can be blown upward. Anchor blocks are provided at various intervals along the penstock to prevent this thrust.

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BIM Adoption warning on the Construction Industry

Even though the adoption of BIM has improved in countries like India, its full potential remains untouched. BIM can be utilized in a country like India to scale projects and attain an attractive cost to benefit ratio because it has a vast talent pool and access to BIM.

The industry has a fertile opportunity to transform itself using BIM. Change in how work is done, hiring new people who understand technology, and making technology an integral part of the overall strategy are required to achieve this.

Although companies recognize BIM’s role, the ground reality is more complex. As strong proponents of BIM, we recognize that we need to understand the obstacles and perception gaps impeding its growth before we can evangelize this technology.

Training & Talent Lacking

Recruitment of skilled workers is a challenge for construction companies. That is primarily due to the industry’s conventional image. Flexibility is important to millennial & they prefer companies with an obvious technology focus.

As millennial will make up 75 percent of the AEC industry in the next decade, their expectations and perceptions of the industry will be mismatched. Buildings are considered rigid & office spaces are also not as glamorous as those in Information Technology.

Gender diversity is also low in the industry due to its perceived male-dominated nature.
Adapting BIM is challenging for companies due to a lack of talent, training, and contextual awareness. Fundamental processes and working ways will need to change for construction companies. Customers and employees will expect this from you as you strive to keep up with digital developments.

Unrealistic Expectations & Scope

Many others deliver projects and walk away without offering assistance to the company as they indulge their digital ambitions.

The scope of BIM implementation is often not defined by companies. Overpromising and setting unrealistic expectations are common problems with some partners. BIM must be implemented in a way that aligns partners’ goals with the needs and expectations of clients for long term sustainability. If you limit BIM to a limited number of projects, it becomes an experiment.

Enthusiasm Problem

In some cases, BIM adoption has been delayed since there was not enough demand. BIM may not be a priority for small companies. Companies do not consider it to be relevant to project completion since there is no compulsion to use it. We need to make BIM’s benefits clear if we want it to be prioritized by companies.

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Fire Risk Reduction in Construction

The purpose of construction sites should be to bring new things into the world, not to destroy them. Nevertheless, it is not always the case that this is the case. In the event that construction professionals are not careful, fires can break out on site, seriously jeopardizing the safety of workers and causing severe loss of time and money to the project.

There are an astonishing number of simple and common risks which can cause fires on construction sites, including electrical equipment like powered hand tools and generators, flammable or combustible materials like gasoline containers, or combustion engine equipment like excavators, which can cause fires on construction sites.

Is there anything that construction professionals can do to prevent fires in the workplace and ensure their sites are fireproofed and safe? The following are six strategies you should follow for prevention from fire.

1. Know the best and most effective

In terms of electrical best practices on construction sites, there are a few things that need to be taken into account. Use only fuses that are rated appropriately, for example. Extension cords should never be used as a substitute for wiring improvements that are required. There is always a risk of fire in hazardous areas and wiring, so it is always a good idea to inspect these areas. As well as this, it is important to make sure that electrical equipment is properly grounded or double insulated before you use it.

2. Ensure that all permits are in order

Ensure that all necessary permits are obtained before the construction of the next project is started in order to ensure that the work will be done safely. If you are planning to work with an open flame or produce heat or sparks in any way during the process of a project, then your project requires a hot work permit.

In addition to welding and brazing, cutting and grinding may be necessary as part of this process. The permit must be present in order to ensure that there is no possibility of a fire breaking out in the case of a fire breaking out.

3. Always have a plan

It is still possible for a fire to occur even with the best protection. In order to prevent a fire from spreading on a construction site, it is important to have a clear, detailed plan in place when a blaze starts. All workers on a construction site should know how to evacuate, how to alert others in the event of an emergency, and how to take a headcount if there is a problem on the site. Keeping a head count is particularly critical since it ensures that all members of the team have successfully left the building and are out of harm’s way. As part of your emergency plan, you should also make sure that you have a person who has been designated to call 911 and summon fire professionals to the scene if there is an emergency.

4. Despatch Fires and Extinguish Flames In a Timely Manner

There is no point in investing in a fire detection system when all that is required are employees’ eyes and noses. There should be a fire alarm system installed on every construction site so that workers will be alerted if a fire occurs. The construction site should also be equipped with a fire suppression system, which could be either overhead sprinklers on commercial sites or smoke alarms on residential properties, that will be triggered or turned on automatically in the event of a fire.

A sprinkler system is a simple and effective method of extinguishing a fire quickly and minimizing its overall danger. Last but not least, make sure there are portable fire extinguishers throughout the site that are ready to use at any time and that are regularly inspected and maintained.

5. Maintain Safety with Portable Heaters

Please ensure that all necessary precautions are taken when a contractor plans to deploy portable heaters at your next construction site if that is the case. It is true that portable heaters keep a space warm, but they can also cause fires in the area if they are not used properly.

You should ensure that any heater you use is protected against tip-overs, that is, that it automatically shuts off if the unit falls over if it falls on its side. Furthermore, you have to be careful not to place the heater too close to any combustible material that may be present at the worksite as that may result in a fire.

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How to Pour Concrete on Slab on Grade (SOG)

Reason and extension: The reason for this strategy proclamation is to clarify the best possible technique on the best way to get ready and cast piece on grade 1 or any level component or part including obsession of steel support, MEP embedment, fixing of shade and so forth without wounds.

After refilling works the following is throwing chunks on grade (ground), ensuring that all the zones underneath grade pieces have been appropriately inlaid and compacted.

Endorsement must be gotten from the Engineer for waterproofing and inlaying works preceding beginning chunk on grade throwing.

Here is the technique articulation of Slab on Grade planning and concrete pouring. The purpose for this strategic statement is to clarify the best possible technique on the best way to get ready and cast section on grade 1 or any flat component or part including obsession of steel support, MEP embedment, fixing of screen and so forth without wounds.

Materials and References:

1. C40/20 Concrete Grade with added substances
2. Twisted bars or A393 BRC work
3. Affirmed drawing

Work technique: Site arranging

a. Conveyance ? new concrete will be bunched from the affirmed provider of concrete. Concrete will be conveyed direct to the site and to be gotten by colleague Quality Engineer for checking of the necessary models of concrete.
b. The right hand QC Engineer will ensure the concrete conveyed is according to the endorsed plan blend for the arranged part to be casted.
c. All information for testing on new concrete at site will be recorded on the concrete pour card.

Readiness:

1. After the blinding is casted and the position of waterproofing is done, the planning and throwing for the section on grade will be finished.
2. Fix the fortification steel according to the endorsed drawings, once in a while A393 BRC work is shown in the drawing and most ordinarily used in 250mm thick concrete evaluation section.

3. Any free fastener or ties along the joined support steel will be re-fixed. Twist internal the free parts of the bargains wire or ties.
4. Use PVC spacer for vertical bars and concrete spacer for base as concrete spreads.
5. Guarantee and facilitate with MEP staff for any MEP works required on the territory according to endorsed drawings.
6. Fix the structures such; bolsters, sleeves and so on., assuming any.
7. Any harmed materials utilized for structure work or shade like pressed wood will not be utilized.
8. All surface of structures or shade confronting concrete will be treated with covering oil and hose with water few moments before concrete will be poured.
9. Clean the pieces on grade utilizing air blowers for dust or any little particles or injurious materials that may weaken the usefulness of concrete.
10. The assessor will at that point check the degree of the anticipated top surface of the section and spot level strips if important to stamp the specific level.
11. The cementing must be organized with essential hardware or devices for cementing utilize, for example, vibrators, power skim machines, scoop and so on.

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Corrosion and its Types

What do you mean by Corrosion?

As a native process, corrosion is the process of converting pure metal into a much more robust and robust form such as oxides or hydroxides. There is no doubt that it is a constant of metals because of the artificial action with which they are enclosed.

During the course of the process, it degrades and erodes the metals, thus destroying their power, beauty, and durability. It is common for materials to be divided into two categories, which are chemical factors and physical factors, as a general rule.

Varieties of Corrosion

Crevice Corrosion

Corrosion in crevices occurs when there is little space and interval to produce liquid and there is no suitable body process to process it. Whenever crevice corrosion occurs, it adds a great deal of risk to the chance of crevice corrosion occurring in the near future. Because of the connective sign between the metallic floor and corrosive fluid, crevice corrosion will be damaged by the mechanical injury resulting from the mechanical action of the fluid.

Corrosion Fatigue

Fatigue of ore will grow in a corrosion climate, and then it will be called corrosion fatigue, meaning the defeat of matter due to repeated application of pressure. There can be a development of this condition if the fatigue resistance of a metal is stopped.

Galvanic Corrosion

A galvanic pair is formed between two types of the matter when they situate and connect in corrosive potassium, and it is the anode and cathode that form the galvanic pair. It is necessary to be in electrical contact with an electrolyte for galvanic corrosion to occur.

Environmental Cracking

Cracking under the influence of environmental conditions refers to corrosion that occurs as a result of a combination of ecological conditions damaging the material, along with synthetic, pressure, and strain-related outcomes that can actually occur simultaneously.

There are three types of corrosion in the environment below: corrosion fatigue, hydrogen-induced cracking, stress corrosion cracking, and liquid metal, embrittlement, and stress corrosion cracking.

Intergranular Corrosion

A form of corrosion called intergranular corrosion occurs when corrosion appears on the granular field, and in this case, the seed is not damaged. It is evident that there is a variation in a reaction against a pollutant when both the original source and the seed margin are different.

Uniform Corrosion

Corrosion will produce a uniform coat of corruption on the floor in the form of uniform corrosion. Basically, this kind of corrosion is caused by the unrolling of the material over the entire bottom of the materials and this kind of corrosion is abroad in spots on materials that are not safe by the floor layer such as AL, Zn, and margin will include a few materials that are generally damaged by uniform corrosion.

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Retainage in Construction : Merits & Demerits

During construction, the construction contract governs the project. This document is a written record of the agreements between the customer, contractor, and subcontractor. The contract specifies the materials to be used, the timeline for completion, and the construction method and payment date.

Customers may withhold a small amount of money until the work is completed in payment terms. This withholding is called retention, which becomes important in construction.

Define Retainage

A retainage is a portion of a contractor’s fee that is withheld until the project is completed or specified in the contract.

In essence, retainage ensures that contractors and subcontractors fulfill their contractual obligations in a satisfactory manner. In the absence of retainage, a customer might pay an untrustworthy contractor their full fee upfront, at which point they might abscond with the money and abandon the project. A retainage serves as a reverse security deposit for the customer.

Retainage Workflow

A retainage percentage of between 5 and 10 percent is generally agreed upon by the parties before the start of the project, and stipulated in the contract. As the construction project progresses, progress payments are made periodically as fractions of the full fee.

An example of a retainage calculation would be $100,000 if the project price is $100,000, along with a 10 percent retainage. Each progress payment is subject to a 10 percent retainage by the customer or project owner. Each progress payment of $100,000 stipulated in the contract will be withheld by $10,000 by the customer.

Define Substantial Competition

As defined in the contract documents, substantial completion occurs when the work or a designated portion of the work is sufficiently completed so that the owner can occupy or use it as intended. A property has been substantially completed when the owner is able to move in or use it for its intended purpose, and retainage to the contractor is likely due.

Merits of Retainage

Financial Security

Money held in retainage allows the owner to preserve some funds that might have otherwise been wasted on an incomplete project when a contractor or subcontractor fails to perform their obligations. This money can now be used by the owner to hire another contractor to finish the project.

Proper Incentive

Construction contractors and subcontractors will be motivated to perform their work well if a significant part of the overall project fee is not released until the structure is usable.

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An Overview of the use of Sandbags in Cofferdams

Cofferdams are short term arrangements to support the building activity behind logical waterless situations. Sandbags are simply bags filled with sand and bricks. In these sandbags, a cofferdam will be formed, which will be known as a sandbag cofferdam. It is in this process that void bags are equalized according to requirements.

A mixture of bricks and sand will then be used to cover the area. Despite the presence of dissolute water, a sandbag cofferdam is able to resist it. Since sandbags also have parallel faces, the slope of the coffer dam is very steep.

Define Sandbag Cofferdam

It is a short term design that supports the building activity behind the apparent waterless situation. This is nothing more than a bag covered in sand and bricks. A sandbag cofferdam will be created using these sandbags.

The void bags will be equalized as needed in this process. A blend of bricks and sand is then used to cover the part of the structure. As sandbags also manage a parallel face, the slope of the coffer dam is extremely sharp. The water will not dissolve the sandbag cofferdam due to its strong resistance to dissolution.

Dewatering Problem in Sandbag

1. The process of making sandbags requires a great deal of time.
2. More labor was required for sandbagging.
3. Inclines will be difficult with sandbags.
4. More dirt can be removed with sandbags.
5. The longer the sandbags last, the worse they are.
6. In the event of flooding, sandbags will be the sloppy solution.

Importance of Sandbag in Single Wall Cofferdam

The inside and outside faces of the sheets are stacked with half-filled sand bags to increase the dam’s stability. Water is pumped out of the enclosed area after the dam is constructed so that construction can begin.

Flood water damage can be prevented or reduced with sandbags, a simple, but effective method. By filling and placing sandbags properly, moving water can be diverted around, not through, buildings.

Sandbags are filled with floodwaters filled with fine particles like silt and clay. In essence, these particles are caught in the sand. Sand is actually made more effective as a barrier by clay and silt filling in gaps.

Alternative of Cofferdam

In spill containment and water prevention applications, Hydra-Barrier is an effective alternative to sandbags. It comes in a variety of sizes, is durable, reusable, can be filled when needed, and can be emptied once it’s uses. The easiest way to store Hydra-Barrier is the way you store sandbags.

Merits of Sandbag

1. It benefits dynamic pile function in this way.
2. The base of each row and float must be found.
3. The platform and base of the piers should be installed, as well as the bolts to hold the platform down.
4. Separate a lake or ocean from a place by surrounding it.
5. An operation platform for water is provided by a construction foundation.
6. Provide a safe environment for conducting base activities.

Merits of Sandbag Cofferdam

Creating optimal working conditions is one of the main advantages of cofferdam construction. It is also possible to significantly reduce the project’s cost by draining submerged work areas before moving equipment and personnel.

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Key Materials and Methods for Preventing Flood Damage

Flooding will inevitably occur at some point in your life, no matter where you live. People on the coast are not the only ones at risk from high water. Changing weather patterns and an increasing number of hard surfaces, such as roads & sidewalks, are increasing the risk of flooding among homeowners. It is important to note that disaster assistance is usually a repaid loan.

It is considered a flood damage resistant building material if it can withstand direct or prolonged flood water contact for 72 hours without significant damage.

Use Flood Resistant Materials

A flood resistant building material is non-damaged after being exposed to flood waters for at least 72 hours. In terms of damage, significant means more than a minor cosmetic repair.

Those parts of a home that lie below the 100 year flood level should be constructed with flood resistant materials. Concrete, closed cell, foam insulation, pressure-treated and marine grade plywood, and ceramic tile are all common flood resistant materials. You can also use stainless or galvanized steel hardware in these areas.

Key Methods to Protect Flood Damage

Waterproof Veneer Use on Outside Walls

Regardless of the depth of floodwaters, a home can be severely damaged if water reaches the interior. Add a waterproof veneer to the exterior walls of a home to protect it from shallow flooding. Several brick layers can be covered with a waterproof membrane. Additionally, the interior walls need to be changed as well.

Replacing batt insulation with washable closed-cell foam insulation will prevent flooding in areas below flood level. You always use exterior grade lumber for any wood blocking added inside the wall cavity.

Fuel Tanks Anchoring

Unanchored fuel tanks can easily be moved by floodwaters, posing a serious threat. Unanchored tanks outside a home can be driven into walls by flood waters or swept downstream, causing damage to other property.

Unanchored tanks in basements can be contaminated with oil when floodwaters move them. Attaching a tank to a large concrete slab heavy enough to resist floodwaters is one way of anchoring it. Regardless of whether a tank is inside or outside a house, this process can be applied to them all. Ground anchors can also be used to anchor outside tanks. Straps can be run over them and attached to them.

Well Protection from Contamination

Water from floods can carry hazardous or toxic materials, such as raw sewage, animal waste, oil, gasoline, solvents, or chemicals. It is possible for floodwater to contaminate well water and make it unsafe to drink or use, even after the floodwaters recede.

The casing of a well should be extended at least two feet above the highest known flood elevation in order to protect it from contamination. It’s important to remember that potential contaminants shouldn’t be stored within 100 feet of the well.

HVAC Equipment Utilization

Floodwaters can severely damage HVAC equipment such as furnaces and water heaters. Flood depth and the length of time the equipment remains underwater will influence the extent of damage.

Moving HVAC equipment from the basement or lower level of a flood prone home to the attic or upper level will protect it. There is also the less desirable option of leaving the equipment where it is and building a concrete or masonry block flood wall around it.

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