October 2011 – Page 3 – Civil Engineering Projects

Growing Need for Environmental Sustainability

October 29, 2011 by Designer

Chronic Need for Environmental Sustainability

Everyone is aware of the fact that the life on earth is degrading day by day. The quality of life on earth has gone from best to worst in the past 150 years.

For people who do not agree with the concept of Sustainability

The concept of sustainability is brought up for the betterment of human species and not for the earth. The Earth can survive without humans. Sustainability is for us to survive on earth.

The video illustrates the story of our Mother Earth or rather I should say “Sad story of Earth”….

Earth was beautiful and Green before humans started using Earth’s resources ruthlessly… The earth is now in the devastated condition and if this continues for the next 50 years, it will bring with it the end of Human life on Earth by the next century.

We should all work towards making our environment green and sustainable because we are the ones who are responsible for getting it into such a bad ruined state.

Fifa World Cup 2010 Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa

October 29, 2011 by Designer

Soccer City Stadium is the largest soccer stadium in South Africa. It is situated near Nasrec in Johannesburg, in South Africa. The stadium is the main venue for the Fifa World Cup 2010 kick-off match. This stadium would also host the finals of Fifa World Cup 2010 and the semi-finals are going to be in other two Soccer stadiums of South Africa namely; Cape Town Soccer Stadium and Moses Mabhida Soccer Stadium. There is one other smaller stadium known as Ellis Park Stadium, but it is mainly used during Rugby matches.

Soccer City stadium has a capacity of 94,700 people, which makes it the largest stadium in the whole African Continent. It also has a 2 meter moat to keep fans away from players.

Guide to Design of Built-up Beams

October 28, 2011 by Designer

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.

Aerocon Blocks – the new Green Generation Blocks | Sustainable Building Material

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Aerocon Blocks | Green Building Materials

Aerocon Blocks are an innovative product in the green building revolution. Aerocon blocks are the new blocks in walling materials, substituting conventional and environmentally unsustainable materials like clay bricks, concrete and Hollow blocks.

Aerocon blocks are an Autoclaved Aerated concrete blocks used in the construction of walls. The raw materials used in the manufacture of these blocks are environmentally friendly and are certified green products. Flyash is also used as an alternative building material which is a waste from thermal power plants.

Aerocon Blocks | Aerated Concrete Blocks

Since, these materials are light weight with high thermal insulation, they are highly fire resistant. These blocks save water during construction and ensure long term sustainability of the building. These blocks have been used in wide range of constructions which include residential, commercial, hotels, hospitals, schools etc.

Types of Levelling Instruments | Definitions in Levelling

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Various types of Levelling Instruments and Important Definitions | Surveying

Dumpy level
Y-level
Modern Tilting level
Automatic level

The levelling instruments essentially consist of the following:

A levelling head with three foot screws which enables to bring the bubble at its centre.

Telescope that provides line of sight to bisect distinct objects.

A bubble tube to make the line of sight horizontal either mounted on top or side of the telescope.

A tripod for supporting the levelling instrument.

Important Definitions in Levelling

Line of Collimation or line of sight

The line joining the point of intersection of the cross wires of the diaphragm to the optical centre of the objective and its imaginary continuation.

Reduced Level

The vertical distance measured above or below the mean sea level or benchmark is called as reduced level.

Sources of Errors in Surveying | Civil Engineering

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Sources of Errors in Surveying

In this article, we will discuss three major types of errors that are found to be very common in Surveying.

Types of Errors

Instrumental errors
Personal errors
Natural errors

Instrumental errors

Error may arise due to imperfection or faulty adjustment of the instrument with which measurement is being taken.

For example:

A tape may be too long or an angle measuring instrument maybe out of adjustment. Such errors are known as Instrumental erros.

Concealed Lighting Techniques | Methods of Lighting

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Concealed Lighting Techniques

Concealed Lighting is one of the methods of Lighting Systems. Concealed Lighting is usually preferred where dim ambient lighting is necessary to enhance the beauty of the ambiance.

Here are some of the other lighting methods apart from concealed Lighting:

Direct Lighting
Indirect Lighting
Concealed Lighting
Semi-concealed Lighting

Dining Lighting makes use of Concealed Lighting, Semi-concealed Lighting, Direct and Indirect Lighting System.

Task Lighting makes use of Direct Lighting system.

Underwater Lighting makes use of Diffused Lighting system.

Spot Lighting is complete different system of Lighting but since it has focussed illumination, it can fall under the category of Direct Lighting.

In this article, we are going to discuss the Evolution of the Concept of Concealed Lighting system and also how and where it is used….

Read more

Micro Economics | Economics Related to Building Industry

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Micro Economics Related to Architecture and Engineering

The study of Economics can be broadly classified into two categories:

In this article, we are going to discuss various terms related to Micro Economics. Check out the brief on “Macro Economics and Micro Economics“.

Here is the list of terms we are about to discuss in this article:

Budget Constraints
Choice
Demand and Supply
Uncertainties
Equilibrium
Technical constraints
Profit maximization
Cost minimization
Monopoly
Oligopoly
Production

Budget constraints

For individuals, the budget for acquiring property depends in the earning capacity of the family per annum, the ability to raise loan, savings, repaying capacity (in 5year/ 10year/ 15year loan periods).

Choice

Depends on the budgetary capability, savings, willingness to invest, optimum level to spend, location of the property etc, choice of the specifications, reputation of the builders, quality of construction, timely completion of projects, proximity to public amenities like transport, railway station, airport etc.

Classification of surveys according to their Purpose | Civil Engineering

October 28, 2011 by Designer

Classification of Surveys according to their Purpose

In our previous article, we discussed division and classification of surveys based on various factors such as Purpose, instruments, field of work, method of work etc.

In this article, we will discuss different types of surveys carried out for various purposes in the field of Surveying…

Mine Survey

Mine survey involves exploration of mineral wealth in the country. This would include minerals such as Gold, copper, coal, silver etc. between the earth’s crust.

Geological Survey

Geological Survey is carried out by geologists. It is usually for the purpose of the study of earth’s rock structure. It helps to determine different strata in the earth’s crust.

Archaeological Survey

As the name suggests, Archaeological Survey is carried out by the Archaeologists for the purpose of their study concerning the past. This survey helps to trace the relics of the past.

Guide to Design of Precast Concrete Retaining Walls

October 28, 2011 by Designer

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.