May 2011 – Civil Engineering Projects

Lighting Design for the Interiors and Exteriors of a Structure

May 26, 2011 by Designer

Guide to Lighting Design for Interiors and Exteriors

Lighting is one of the major and important aspects of interior design exterior design as well. Aesthetics and Functionality need to go hand in hand when it comes to interior lighting techniques. Lighting design from space to space. For example, Lighting design for a museum cannot be similar to the lighting design for a residence. It changes with the purpose, its functionality, its design, area and Volume of the perceived space. These are some of the basic lighting design factors that one should consider while analyzing and designing. In this article, we will discuss in brief some of the important factors of Lighting design to be considered before deciding on the selection of a particular type of lighting technique.

Factors that influence Design

Function of the space
Dimensions and details
Furnishings and layouts
Style
Aesthetic
Décor
Lighting budget

Function of the space

Function of the space is one of the most important factor to be considered and studied before designing the lighting for a particular space. The lighting technique used for a particular space helps in illuminating the required spaces for a specific task or to create a specific ambience.

Lighting for specific Task

Ambient Lighting or general lighting for general illumination

Retrofitting old Foundations | Civil Engineering

May 21, 2011 by Designer

Retrofitting the Foundations of Old Structures

The level of deterioration of the foundation determines whether the building can be improved or needs to be demolished. Repairing and retrofitting of the building elements should be done at the initial stages of the deterioration. This would save time as well as costs of construction.

In case the deterioration is not paid attention to, it can lead to excessive damage of building components which may result into excessive retrofitting costs.

Failure of Structure due to ignoring the need for retrofitting

Small cracks in Buildings

In case there are cracks having occurred on the building are small, the building can be declared to be in a sound condition. It involves nominal repairs and lower repair costs which would save your time as well.

Large scale damage

For older buildings where the foundations of the building have been severely affected, all large retrofit work is then subject to professional assistance. This would require the evaluation of geotechnical and structural conditions of the structure.

Surveys to be carries out:

Majorly two important surveys are to be carried out:

Technical Survey
Historical Survey

Height of Instrument Method | Surveying and Levelling

May 18, 2011 by Designer

Height of the Instrument Method

The following readings were observed with a levelling instrument, the instrument was shifted after 5^th and 11^th reading.

0.585, 1.010, 1.735, 3.295, 3.775(5^th)

0.350, 1.300, 1.795, 2.575, 3.375

3.895 (11^th), 1.735, 0.635, 1.605

Determine the RLs of various points if the reduced level (RL) of a point on which the first reading was taken is 136.440 gives the height of collimation method and applies the check.

Station	BS	IS	FS	HI	RL	Remarks
123 4 5	0.585 0.350	1.0101.735 3.295	3.775	137.025 133.600	136.440136.015135.290 133.730 133.250	RL of I point CPI
678 9 10	1.735	1.3001.7952.575 3.375	3.895	131.440	132.300 131.805 131.025 130.225 129.705	CP II
1112		0.635	1.605		130.805 129.835
	Sum of BS=2.670		Sum of FS =9.275

HL = RL + BS

= 136.440 + 0.585

= 137.025

RL = HL – IS

Check

(Summation of BS)-(Summation of FS) = Last RL – First RL

2.670 – 9.275 = 129.835 – 136.440

-6.605 = -6.605

Development of Surface Active Structure system

May 15, 2011 by Designer

Development of Shell Structures | Structural Systems

In this article, we will discuss “Surface Active Structure System” with examples for better understanding….

In my earlier articles, we discussed “Structural Systems in the Post Modernist Period” and “Development of Suspended Structures“. Reading about different types of Structural Systems and their basis and purpose of evolution will help you understand the varied concepts of Structural Systems.

In this type of structure system, a thin curved structure is so shaped to transmit applied forced by compressive, tensile and shear stresses that act in the plane of the surface. They are usually constructed of concrete reinforced with steel mesh.

Sydney Opera House | Example of Shell Structure

Shell construction began in the 1920s; the shell emerged as a major long-span concrete structure in postmodernism. Thin parabolic shell vaults and even complex forms i.e. hyperbolic paraboloids stiffened with ribs have been built with spans up to about 300 feet (90m). Thickness of the shell with this system can be achieved even less than 0.5 inches (1.25cm) thick. One of the most famous example of this is Sydney Opera House.

The shape of this majestic structure has been achieve with the help of plastic behaviour of the material. In this, the shells were constructed out of 2400 precast ribs and 4000 roof panels in an on-site factory. By this solution, they were able to avoid the need for expensive formwork construction.

Use of Porcelain and Ceramic tiles in Modern Architecture

May 9, 2011 by Designer

Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles in Modern Architecture

In my earlier articles, I have discussed about some of the Modern materials and “Modern Bathroom Designs“. But the fact that what materials make those Bathrooms modern and gives them an elegant look cannot be ignored. In this article, we will discuss in brief about two important materials responsible for giving beauty and elegance to your bathrooms and also some important places and corners in your homes.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles have been used throughout history and it is almost impossible to conceive a modern day structure without the use of ceramic tiles.

Modern Bathrooms | Use of Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles

What was initially considered a piece of art in ancient times has become a product of mass utility now due to its intrinsic qualities, which perfectly match the demands of modern architecture.

A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic solid produced by the application of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may be crystalline, partly crystalline or amorphous in appearance.

The earliest ceramics were pottery objects made from clay, either singly or mixed with other materials, hardened by fire.

Window Air conditioners and Split Air conditioners | Electrical Engineering

May 8, 2011 by Designer

Window Air conditioners and Split Air conditioners | Working and their Application

In this article, we will discuss “Window Air conditioners” in general. We are quite familiar with room air conditioners. As the name itself suggests, these air conditioners are mounted in the windows and hence the name.

Window Air conditioners comprise of the following parts:

The compressor
The condenser fan
Condenser and evaporator

These components are all enclosed in a single cabinet. This unit is then installed in a window frame or a hole that specially casted during the construction for the purpose of installing Window air conditioners.

While we design the location and installation of Window air conditioners, we need to keep in mind a few important things that would affect the functioning of the window air conditioner. The air being blown through the condenser must pass freely through without restriction. We must therefore make sure that the condenser is not obstructed (for example by a neighboring wall).

Capacities of air conditioners

They come in cooling capacities from 0.5 to 2 tons in various tonnages, adequate for a room between 5 and 20 square meters in size. Larger spaces may be handled by using multiple units of this type.

Window air conditioners are easy to install and convenient to use and economical in cost, they could be noisy for some applications.

Probably the single biggest reason for inefficiency in Window ACs is a dirty filter. Usually most of us don’t pay attention to the maintenance of Window ACs which are accompanied by cleaning the AC filters to keep up the performance of the Window Air conditioners. Even if covered by maintenance contracts, dust is such a severe problem in most areas that the filter needs cleaning even between preventive maintenance visits by your supplier.

Types of Air conditioning Systems | Electrical Engineering

May 3, 2011 by Designer

Study of types of air conditioning Systems in Engineering

Studying different types of air conditioning systems is a part of Engineering. It helps us understanding the working and functioning of HVAC systems. For designing HVAC systems in an Auditorium or a Mall, the engineer has to be aware of various types of air conditioning systems along with its advantages and disadvantages.

Today, various types of air conditioning systems are available in the market. They can be broadly classified as follows:

Central air conditioning systems
Non central air conditioning systems

Central AC Systems are further subdivided into two categories:

Ductable Packaged Air-conditioners
Central Plants

Non-Central AC products are further classified as:

Window ACs
Split ACs

In this article, we will discuss the basic terminology of what are Central AC systems and Non-central AC products.

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