Archive for category Building Construction
Introduction to the calculation of the loads | Building Construction
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on January 18, 2012
Load Calculations | Types of Loads
Students find it difficult to understand the concept of loads although it is a very simple concept. We are going to write a series of articles on “Load Calculations” and help you all in understanding different types of loads that are to be considered for structural designing and also how to calculate them.
In this article, we will discuss different types of loads with examples.
In our next article, we will cover the following points:
- Design principle assumption and notation assumed
- Design Constant
- Assumptions regarding Design
- Loads on Beams
- Loads on slabs
An object is subject to mainly two types of forces:
- Live loads
- Dead loads
Basically, an object subject to any type of force which could be gravitational force (weight), pressure or anything affects the object is called a load.
This concept is used in Mechanical and structural engineering. Let’s take in terms of Structural Engineering. Whenever a structure is designed, these concepts are taken into consideration because real world objects are analyzed in order to design the structure. This is very important in terms of structural stability.
What are “Dead loads”?
As the name itself suggests, dead loads could be termed as self weight of the non-living objects. It could be the weight of the materials, equipments or any other components in the structure that will remain permanent throughout the life of the structure.
Dead load has to be considered in order to make the structural design accordingly. Dead loads vary from structure to structure. Every building is unique and has different considerations.
An additional load is considered in case additional forces build up in a structure in case of settlement or due to secondary effects of pre-stress construction or due to shrinkage of concrete.
Fly ash Bricks | Building Materials and Construction
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction, Civil Projects on January 7, 2012
Fly ash Bricks | An alternative Building Material
Fly ash bricks are masonry units that are used in the construction of buildings. They are considered to be a part of good and affordable building materials. They contain Class C fly ash and water.
Fly ash bricks are made by compressing Class C fly ash and water at 4000psi and then curing is carried on for 24 hours at a temperature of 66 degrees Celsius steam bath. Air entrainment agent is used to toughen the bricks.
Fly ash Bricks
Since the concentration of calcium oxide is very high in class C fly ash, the brick is described as self cementing.
It is considered to be a good alternative to traditional mud bricks since the method of manufacture of fly ash is energy efficient that is it helps save energy, brings about reduction of mercury pollution and plus it is cost effective.
Raw materials used for the manufacture of Fly ash Bricks:
- Fly ash – which is the primary ingredient
- Sand or Stone dust – as fine aggregate
- Lime – source of calcium carbonate which results in the bricks being called “Self-cementing bricks”.
- Gypsum – to enhance the fineness of the shape of the bricks
- Cement – to increase bonding and strength
Bonds in Brickwork | Building Construction
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 29, 2011
Various types of bonds in Brick work
What is a bond?
When bricks are laid adjacent to each other forming a groove in between the bricks which is filled by cement mortar is called a bond. Bonding helps in even distribution of loads over a large area.
There are various types of bonds. Bricks are arranged in courses in such a way that they are tied together and also care is taken of the vertical joints that are formed when bricks are arranged in courses. The bricks used for the purpose of masonry construction are uniform in size.
Bilbee herring bond
The rule is, “Vertical joints of the successive courses of bricks should not coincide, that is, a continuous vertical joint across the wall should be avoided since it will gradually result into cracks development.” The strength and stability of the wall is less as compared to the properly bonded brickwork. Improperly arranged bricks forming continuous vertical joints are also called “unbounded walls”.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are various types of bonds; these bonds are distinguished by their appearance which basically means their bonding style (fashion in which bricks interlock to tie themselves together).
Bending Moment and Fixed Moment Calculations
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 26, 2011
Bending Moment and Shear Force diagrams
What is Bending Moment?
The element bends when a moment is applied to it. Every structural element has bending moment. Concept of bending moment is very important in the field of engineering especially Civil engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Unit of measurement: Newton-metres (N-m) or pound-foot or foot-pound (ft.lb)
Bending moment is directly proportional to tensile and compressive stresses. Increase in tensile and compressive stresses results in the increase in the bending moment. These stresses also depend on the second moment of area of the cross section of the element.
What is Shear stress?
Shear stress is defined as the measure of force per unit area. Shear stress occurs in shear plane. There are many planes possible at any point in a structure which can be defined to measure stress.
Stress = Force/Unit area
Example: Bending Moment and Shear Force Calculations
Frame diagrams | Bending moment and shear force calculations
Simply supported bending moment
Mab = wl2/8 = (22×4.14×4.14)/8
= 47.13 KN-m
Mbc = wl2/8 = (22×4.14×4.14)/8
= 47.13 KN-m
Types of Construction | Building Construction and Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 20, 2011
Building Construction | Civil Engineering and Design
Construction of buildings can be divided into three main categories:
- Load bearing construction
- Composite construction
- Framed construction
But among the three types, framed construction is widely used for all kinds of constructions.
An engineering structure is an assembly of number of elements transferring the loads and providing a form space to serve the desired function.
Building Construction and Design
The structural design is a science and art of designing, with economy and elegance, a durable structure is that which can safely carry the forces and can serve the desired function satisfactorily during its expected service life span.
The entire process of structural planning and designing requires not only imagination and conceptual thinking but of practical aspects, such as relevant design codes and byelaws, backed up by aple experience, institution and judgement.
The process of design commences with planning of a structure, primarily to meet the functional equipment of the user or client. The functional requirements and the aspects of the aesthetics looked into normally by an architect while the aspect of safety, serviceability, durability and economy of the structure for its intended use over the life span.
What is a building?
A building can be defined as a structure consisting of walls, floors, education, business, manufacturing, storage, hospitalization, entertainment, worship etc.
Normally all building are constructed according to drawings and specifications prepared by architects. Each city has prescribed building bye-laws to which building must confirm. The building bye-laws lay down norms like minimum front, side and rear backs, minimum height and area of habitable rooms, kitchen, bath, minimum area of windows, width of staircase etc, apart from respecting the bye-laws the building design should ensure optimum utilization of built-up space, thermal comfort, proper ventilation, desirable illumination and acoustical characteristics and it should satisfy the functional requirements of people who live and work in the building.