Archive for category Civil Projects
Consequences of Wrong Structural Design | RCC Structures
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 29, 2011
A lesson for all the Civil Engineers and Designers to learn
I got a project of designing (Architectural Design) a Hostel in Lucknow, India. The Structural design that is, column positions and wall construction was already done. The client wanted me to design a Hostel keeping the column positions and exterior wall construction intact. I have written this article to address all the Civil engineering students as well as Civil Engineers to avoid making such blunders while they design. Please do read this article because understanding the intensity of the job of a Civil Engineer is must for every student and professional. I guess this realization has been washed away and forgotten in the wave of commercialism.
Hostel Design, Lucknow, India
The client mailed me the layout of the existing construction. After I studied the layout, I figured out that the Column layout was pathetic. I wonder what kind of Civil Engineer must have made the layout or if at all any Civil Engineer has done it.
Errors in Construction
Wrong size of the Columns
The size of the columns was 9”x9” and the building is supposed to be constructed upto G+2 floors which is really disastrous for the structure.
It could lead to structural failure and ultimately structural collapse.
(The duty of the Civil Engineer is to understand and not make such dramatic blunders. The consequences of this kind of structural design could be disastrous.)
Column layout and Exterior wall Construction
9”x9” size columns are only preferred if you were to construct only a ground floor structure using M15 grade concrete. If you are to construct another floor that is (G+1), the minimum size of the column should not be less than 9”x12” using M15 grade concrete.
If the client insists on using smaller columns (9”x9”); in that case, use of M20 grade concrete should be done mandatorily and the construction should not be initiated before the client agrees to do so.
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Guide to Design of Built-up Beams
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
Design Procedure of the Built-up Beams design
In my earlier articles, we discussed in detail about the “Theory of Built-up Beams“. In this article, we will move a step ahead and understand the concept of the design of Built-up beams.
Here are the simple steps that are to be followed for the design of Built-up Beams.
Step one
The effective span and load required to be carried by the built-up beam are known.
Maximum bending moment and shear force in built-up beams are calculated.
Step two
Value of yield stress (fy) for structural steel is to be assumed.
The permissible bending stress (sigma bc) is calculated.
Step three
The required section modulus (Z) for the given beam section is calculated.
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Guide to Design of Precast Concrete Retaining Walls
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
This is a guest post by Philip White.
Retaining walls vary hugely in purpose and design but primarily they are structures that hold back soil, earth or other materials. This can be for a number of reasons; protecting a building, preventing downslope movement and erosion, and providing support for grade changes.
Concrete Barrier
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Methods of Valuation of a Building | Building Estimation and Costing
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
Valuation of Building
Valuation of a building depends on the type of the building, its structure and durability, on the situation, size, shape, frontage, width of roadways, the quality of materials used in the construction and present day prices of materials. Valuation also depends on the height of the building, height of the plinth, thickness of the wall, nature of the floor, roof, doors, windows etc.
The valuation of a building is determined on working out its cost of construction at present day rate and allowing a suitable depreciation.
Six Methods of Valuation
Six Methods of Valuation
- Rental Method of Valuation
- Direct Comparisons of the capital value
- Valuation based on the profit
- Valuation based on the cost
- Development method of Valuation
- Depreciation method of Valuation
Rental Method of Valuation
In this method, the net income by way of rent is found out by deducting all outgoing from the gross rent. A suitable rate of interest as prevailing in the market is assumed and Year’s purchase is calculated. This net income multiplied by Year’s Purchase gives the capitalized value or valuation of the property. This method is applicable only when the rent is known or probable rent is determined by enquiries.
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Column Layout for a Residence | Civil Engineering
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
Column Layout for a residence using the Thumb rules| Building Construction
In my earlier article, we discussed three important thumb rules that are to be followed while making a column layout for any building. They are as follows:
In this article, we will see an example of a residence of which column layout is done keeping the above three thumb rules in mind.
Column Layout for a residence
The residential villa comprises of 1 and half floors. Initially, the column size 9″x12″ had been used with the use of M15 grade of concrete. The builder wanted to save on his budget by making the columns smaller in size. That is why, the columns in the Floor plans below are 9″x9″ in size but the Engineer made sure that M20 grade of concrete would be used for Columns.
Column Layout for a Ground Floor
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Design of different types of Parking Methods
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
Parking Methods
When an Architect or an Engineer is designing Roads; he must take care that he designs the required Parking Areas as per the requirement and the study of the traffic in that area.
The Parking Methods play a major role in controlling traffic and avoid chaotic confusion and traffic jams because of lack of Parking facility.
Parking Lot, New York
On the basis of the style of Parking Areas, there are two major types of Parking:
- On Street Parking
- Off Street Parking
In my earlier article, we discussed;
- Means of Access and Design factors to be considered for the design of roads
- Important elements to be considered in Road Design
- Types of Road Junctions
In this article, we will discuss “Types of Parking in detail” which will help us figure out the efficient way to designing Parking areas for Highways, Arterial roads, sub-arterial roads etc.
On Street Parking
As the name itself suggests, “On-street Parking” means the area allotted for Parking purpose at the sides of the roads. For efficiency in Parking system; the On street Parking is divided into two types:
- Angular Parking
- Parallel Parking
- Perpendicular Parking (efficient Parking Method)
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Next Generation Internet | Web 3.0
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on October 28, 2011
Web 3.0, a phrase coined by John Markoff of the New York Times in 2006, refers to a supposed third generation of Internet-based services that collectively comprise what might be called ‘the intelligent Web’—such as those using semantic web, microformats, natural language search, data mining, machine learning, recommendation agents, and artificial intelligence technologies – which emphasize machine-facilitated understanding of information in order to provide a more productive and intuitive user experience.
Web 3.0 Next Generation Internet
CEO of Google.com, Eric Schmidt gave a speech about Web 3.0 in Korea in May 2007…
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