Interview with Architect Javed Kachchhi | Construction Site Inspection
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on January 25, 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….
I took some time out and tried getting in touch with Architect Javed Kachchhi, the Founder and Chief Architect of the firm “Archeng Designers” based in Hyderabad, India. He is a well known Indian Architect who specializes in Modern sustainable construction.
Check out his biography: Architect Javed Kachchhi | Modern Indian Architect
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.
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Understanding Load Calculations | Structural Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on January 19, 2012
Load Calculations | Design of Buildings
In our earlier article, we discussed “Different types of loads” and their importance in Structural design.
Now we will move on with our further discussion on the following points:
- Design principle assumption and notation assumed
- Design Constant
- Assumptions regarding Design
- Loads on Beams
- Loads on slabs
Design principle assumption and notation assumed:
The notations adopted throughout are same as given in IS:456:2000
Density of material used in accordance with reference to IS:857-1987s
| Sr.no | Material | Density |
| 1 | Plain concrete | 24 KN/m3 |
| 2 | Reinforced cement concrete | 25 KN/m3 |
| 3 | Flooring material (cement mortar) | 1.00 KN/m3 |
| 4 | Brick masonry | 19 KN/m3 |
Design constant
Using M20 and Fe415 grade of concrete and steel respectively for columns and footings
Therefore:
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M15 – 15 N/mm2
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M15 – 15 N/mm2
Fck – i. e. Characteristic strength for M20 – 20 N/mm2
Fy – i. e. Characteristic strength for steel – 415 N/mm2
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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.
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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
Types of Bonds in Brickwork | Stretcher and Header Bond
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on December 31, 2011
Bonds in Brickwork | Building Construction
In our previous articles, we discussed “what is a bond?” and “Rules for good Bonding”. Let us start our further discussion on types of bonds.
Different types of bonds are:
- Stretcher bond
- Header bond
- Facing bond
- English bond
- Flemish bond
- Dutch bond
- English cross bond
- Brick on edge bond
- Raking bond
- Zigzag bond
- Garden wall bond
Now we will proceed with our in depth discussion on “Stretcher bond” and “Header bond”.
What is a Stretcher Bond?
As the name itself suggests, stretcher bond is formed by laying bricks horizontally as stretchers on the faces of walls. The length of the bricks is along the horizontal direction of the wall.
Stretcher bond | Exposed Brickwork of a Restaurant
Stretcher bond is used when walls of half brick thickness are to be constructed. The average size of the brick is 9cmx9cmx18cm. If the wall of thickness 9cm is to be constructed, then stretcher bond can be used.
Various types of wall constructions are done using this type of bond.
- Sleeper walls
- Partition walls
- Division walls (internal dividers)
- Chimney stacks
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).
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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
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