Posts Tagged Building Construction
Calculations for Overhead Water tank | Building Construction
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on November 6, 2011
Design of Overhead Water Tank | Design of RCC Structures
As per NBC (National Building Code, 2005) standards,
Water required per person per day = 150 litres
Drinking water = 4litres per person per day
Calculation for an overhead water tank for a 3 BHK Villa:
Let us assume the average family size = 5 persons in the house
Water required for daily chores per person per day as per NBC norms;
150 x 5 = 750 litres
Drinking water required:
4 x 5 = 20 litres
Total quantity of water required = 750+20 = 770 litres
Volume of water = 770/1000 = 0.77 cubic metres
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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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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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Septic Tank Design for an Office Complex
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on September 16, 2011
Septic Tank Design Calculations | Building Construction
In the previous article, we discussed in detail the calculations that are to be carried out for the design of a Septic Tank for 3bhk, 2bhk and 1bhk homes.
In this article, we will move forward with our discussion on the Septic Tank calculations for an Office Complex.
First question that is likely to occur to your mind would be, “How are Septic Tank Design calculations for an Office Complex different from that of a Residence?”
Let us first answer this question before we move forward with the calculations.
Residences are structures which are occupied with families living, eating and sleeping there. Let’s take an example of a person who regularly goes to an office for his job.
Let’s have a look at his Daily schedule:
- He wakes up in the morning.
- Takes a bath, uses a toilet.
- Has his breakfast after which he washes his hands. Apart from him using the services in the house, his family members also use the same.
- He leaves for his office. After he reaches the office, he wouldn’t take bath which consumes the maximum amount of water which turns into sewage water after use.
- His usage of toilet and bathroom would be minimum. Hence, it is important to understand the logic behind the Septic tank calculations.
Calculations for an Office Complex with 8000 employees
As per thumb rule;
Quantity of sewage to be considered for an Office Complex is to be calculated on the basis of the capacity of the Office.
Now, we are calculating the Volume for the Septic Tank required for an Office Complex with 8000 employees.
Hence, quantity of sewage to be considered per person should not be less than 20 gallons.
Office Complex = 8000 persons
Total quantity of sewage = 8000*20 = 1,60,000 gallons
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Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction, Civil Projects on September 9, 2011
Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout | Building Construction
Today, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, Civil Engineers still end up making disastrous mistakes which would not only cost them but also cost the people living in the building designed by these engineers.
Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site (which was extremely pathetic) even before Architectural design was done. (Check out: Consequences of Wrong Structural Design | Live Project example)
In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a column layout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columns but apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb rules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.
Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:
- Size of the Columns
- Distance between Columns
- Alignment of columns
Thumb rule no.1
Size of the columns
The size of the columns depends on the total load on the columns.
Minimum size of the column should not be less than 9”x9”.
9”x9” columns are to be used for a single storey structure with M15 grade of concrete.
In case, 9”x9” column size is to be used for 1 and half storey structure, then it is advised to use M20 grade concrete.
A safe and structurally sound column size for a 1 and half storey structure should not be less than 12”x9” using M15 grade concrete. This should be in your most preferred and practical options list.
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Building Design and Construction | Structural Design
Posted by BenzuJK in Civil Projects on August 4, 2011
Building Design Guide | Design of RCC Structures
Step by step procedure to building design
A building is composed of various structural components such as Foundations, Plinth beams, Columns, Beams, Slab, Staircase, Doors and Windows.
Building Design
Design of Foundation
- Design of Foundation – the most commonly used foundation is Column footing.
- Calculation of loads in Foundation Design
- Types of Foundations
Design of Beams
Beams are mainly classified into two types:
- Doubly reinforced beam (most commonly used in RCC Construction)
- Singly reinforced beam
Design of Columns
Thumb rules for designing a Column Layout
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Failures in Buildings | Important Construction Materials
Posted by BenzuJK in Building Construction on December 30, 2010
Defects in Buildings | Building Materials used in Construction
In my previous article, we began with a discussion on Building Materials used for Construction. We have already discussed the two major building materials such as Sand and Mud. Now we will go on and discuss the role of water, Cement and Cement Mortar in Construction.
Water in Construction
Salt free water should be used on the construction site for the mixing of cement. If salty water is used in the construction, it will result in formation of cracks in the building.
For example: Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India has brine water below 100’. That is why, the bore cannot be dug to more than 80’ feet for water to be used on the construction site.
Cement in Construction
There are various grades of cement available for the purpose of construction.
For example: M15, M20, M25 etc
The grade of cement to be used for construction is decided on the basis of the kind of construction and the structural design.
Cement is always used along with steel, that is RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) construction. Only cement cannot be used because it develops cracks.
Grooves are made over the layer of cement mortar.
For example: When cement flooring is done, a thin layer of cement is laid and grooves are made on the cement layer to prevent cracks.
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