Civil Engineering Projects Weekly | 9th April 2013
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects Weekly on April 8, 2013
Underestimate Green lighting? It can save millions of dollars…
The writer explains how green lighting can have a huge impact on the savings. It may seem surprising as to how such a small change in choice could help you save a lot of money. LEDs have been the top choice of the designers because of the variety of pleasing colour options that are available. The article details out the two success stories of the companies that have chosen to go for LEDs replacing their existing incandescent light bulbs. It has been really surprising since the amount that they have saved millions of dollars by going for a greener option of lighting.
LEDs – the future of lighting industry
We are all acquainted with LEDs. LED stands for light emitting diode. Initially, the LEDs weren’t as efficient as they are today. The article details out the pros and cons of using LED lighting. Today, LED is considered under the category of green electronic components. They have played a great role in revolutionizing the lighting industry.
Architect Javed Kachchhi interviewed regarding Construction site inspection
The author interviews the Indian Architect Javed Kachchhi regarding the construction site inspection. Various important questions have been answered that would be incredibly useful to the Architecture and engineering students as well as the young graduates. The questions regarding issues such as monitoring of the site, role of project management team, architects role on site inspection, mistakes committed by workers on site, scenario of construction sites in towns, scenario of construction sites in cities, role of contractors etc.
Damage and repair guide for Sinking Foundations
Sinking foundations could be disastrous for the life of a structure if not paid attention to. The damage and repair guide outlines the complex procedure into three simple steps. Every step in the guide has been explained in detail.
Here are the following three steps:
1) Examination of the structure
2) After the problem identification, an expert relating to the field is to be hired.
3) Outline of methodologies or techniques for the repair of sinking foundation
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Casestudy of Toyota, Japan | Ecological Sustainability
Posted by BenzuJK in Green Building, Mega Projects on March 22, 2013
Sustainable City in Japan – Toyota
Toyota, a city in Japan has been working to achieve ecological sustainability and has been taking effective measures to strive towards it. Toyota is called the eco-ful town. It has earned its renown for building a life sized model of sustainable living and demonstrating it successfully. Use of renewable energy and achieving energy efficiency has been its prime goal.
Map of Toyota, Japan
Design of Roads in Toyota
The roads laid in the city of Toyota have been paid special attention to. The roads are coated with water retaining and thermal insulation substances to minimize heat emission.
The transportation system has been very well developed in Toyota. It is called as “Demand responsive transportation“.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Effect of Economic breakdown on Construction Industry
Posted by BenzuJK in Green Building on March 12, 2013
Poor Economic state of the World | Effect on Construction Industry and its prevention
Sudden Economic change is extremely bad for Construction industry of any country. The status of Global markets determines the behaviour of an individual country. For example, if the economy of United Kingdom is suffering due to employment problems in the country or financial crisis; it affects the whole of Europe. On the whole, the economy of Europe plays a great role in moving the market.
The first and foremost bad effect of the market would be:
Banks going bankrupt. Banks are the main sources of capital for major construction projects.
Construction industry is capital intensive.
Because of the banks going bankrupt, there is not enough capital in the market that could be utilized for new projects. Because of less money in the market, people are unable to afford luxury homes, offices. This has two major effects on the construction industry:
- Since, people do not have the money to buy buildings, Existing projects are stalled due to increasing raw material cost and decreasing real estate value. No more gigantic home loans available.
- After analyzing the scenario of the bad economic conditions of the market, the builders decide to scrap the idea of new constructions and decide to wait for the right time to start the project. This brings recession in the construction industry which affects architects, engineers and mainly workers badly.
Financial Crisis in the country will result in major construction firms going bankrupt which in turn would be responsible for the loss of thousands of jobs.
Is it possible to prevent this from happening? If yes, then how?
A new system of design is needed to ensure very low energy footprint, sustainable development and optimum use of local materials.
A renewed focus is needed on Green building Design…
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Interview with Architect Javed Kachchhi | Construction Site Inspection
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 10, 2012
What to do on a”Site Inspection/Site Visit”?
Students are always curious and nervous about site visits since this is never taught in any of the colleges in the world. Students have absolutely no idea as to what is to be done when an engineer or Architect is expected to inspect the site. By site, I mean construction site.
Check out his biography: Architect Javed Kachchhi
He is an Architect, Structural Engineer and an Interior Designer. That is the reason why I was so hung up on trying to get in touch with him and write about his experiences about site inspection.
Here we go….
My first question was…
Me: Sir, could you tell us, What exactly is “Site Inspection” or “Site Visit”?
Ar. Javed Kachchhi: Well, let me be very specific. I am sure your readers would like that.
On a site inspection, an Architect/Engineer has to take a complete survey of the site. He has to inspect each and every element that is constructed on site and make sure that the construction is being carried on as per the drawings given by the Architect.
Me: Who monitors the site?
Ar. Javed Kachchhi: Monitoring the site is the work of Site Engineers. Site Engineers have to have a degree in Civil Engineering in order to qualify for the job.
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Design of Doubly reinforced sections | Numerical example
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on September 24, 2012
7 step design procedure for Doubly reinforced sections
In our article series for “Design of Doubly reinforced sections”, we covered the following:
What are doubly reinforced sections?
Methods for determining Neutral Axis?
Solved numerical examples for determining Neutral Axis
Numerical examples for practice (Find Neutral axis)
Methods for calculating Moment of Resistance
Numerical example for calculating Moment of resistance
Types of problems in Doubly reinforced sections
6 step prodecure for determining stresses in steel and concrete
Numerical example | Stresses in steel and concrete
7 step procedure for designing doubly reinforced sections
We shall now proceed with a numerical example “Design of Doubly reinforced sections” using the 7-step procedure we discussed in the previous article.
Numerical problem:
A doubly reinforced concrete beam 250mm wide and 600mm deep overall has to resist an external bending moment of 95kN-m. Find the amount of tensile and compressive steel required, if cover to the centre of steel on both sides is 50mm. σcbc = 5 N/mm2, σst = 140 N/mm2, m = 18.66
Given that:
Breadth of the beam = b = 250mm
Effective depth of the beam = d = 600 – 50 = 550mm
Distance of compressive steel from the top edge of the beam to the centre of the steel = d’ = 50mm
Permissible stress in concrete = σcbc = 5 N/mm2
Permissible stress in steel = σst = 140 N/mm2
Modular ratio = m = 18.66
Bending moment = M = 95 kN-m
Step one:
To find xc
σcbc/ (σst/m) = xc/(d – xc)
5/(140/18.66) = xc/(550 – xc)
xc = 219.95 = 220mm
Read the rest of this Article » » »
Design procedure for designing doubly reinforced section
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on September 23, 2012
7 step procedure for “Design of Doubly reinforced sections”
In our article series for “Design of Doubly reinforced sections”, we covered the following:
What are doubly reinforced sections?
Methods for determining Neutral Axis?
Solved numerical examples for determining Neutral Axis
Numerical examples for practice (Find Neutral axis)
Methods for calculating Moment of Resistance
Numerical example for calculating Moment of resistance
Types of problems in Doubly reinforced sections
6 step prodecure for determining stresses in steel and concrete
Numerical example | Stresses in steel and concrete
In our previous article, we discussed a detailed 6 step procedure for determining stresses in steel and concrete followed by a numerical example. Now we shall move on with the “design procedure for doubly reinforced sections”.
Generally the following data are given:
Breadth of the beam = b
Effective depth of the beam = d
Permissible stress in concrete = σcbc
Permissible stress in steel = σst
Modular ratio = m
Bending moment = M
To solve a problem, the following procedure may be followed.
Design the beam as a singly reinforced one (balanced section)
Step One:
Find xc by
σcbc/ (σst/m) = xc/(d – xc)
Read the rest of this Article » » »
6 step procedure for determining stresses in steel and concrete | Doubly reinforced sections
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on September 9, 2012
Numerical example for determining stresses in steel and concrete
In our article series for “Design of Doubly reinforced sections”, we covered the following:
What are doubly reinforced sections?
Methods for determining Neutral Axis?
Solved numerical examples for determining Neutral Axis
Numerical examples for practice (Find Neutral axis)
Methods for calculating Moment of Resistance
Numerical example for calculating Moment of resistance
Types of problems in Doubly reinforced sections
Determining stresses in steel and concrete
Numerical example | Stresses in steel and concrete
In our previous article, we discussed a detailed 6 step procedure for determining stresses in steel and concrete. Now we shall move on with a numerical example in which we will use the 6 step procedure to solve the problem.
Problem Type two: Determining stresses in steel and concrete using the 6 step procedure
A rectangular beam is 200mm wide and 480mm deep. It has to resist a bending moment of 100 kN-m. The reinforcedment consists of four 25mm ⏀ bars on tension side and three 22mm⏀bars on compression side. The centres of bars being 30mm from the top and bottom edges of the beam. Find the stresses set up in steel and concrete. m=18.66
Given data is as follows:
Breadth of the beam = b = 200mm
Effective depth of the beam = d = 480 – 30 = 450mm
Distance of compressive steel from the top edge of the beam to the centre of the steel = d’ = 30mm
Bending moment = M = 100kN-m
Modular ratio = m = 18.66
Area of tensile steel = Ast = 4 π/4 x 25 x 25 = 1964 mm2
Area of compressive steel = Asc = 4 π/4 x 22 x 22 = 1140 mm2
Step one:
Find x:
bx.x/2 + (1.5m – 1)Asc (x – d’) = mAst(d-x)
200x2/2 + (1.5×18.66 – 1) 1140 (x – 30)
= 18.66 x 1964 x (450 – x)
Therefore, x2 + 674.17x – 174147 = 0
Read the rest of this Article » » »
