Solid materials are classified according to the uniformity with which atoms or ions are arranged with respect to one another. A crystalline materialis one in which the atoms are positioned in a recurring arrangement over large atomic distances. That means a long-range order exists. When solidification, the atoms will position themselves in a repetitive three-dimensional…
Category: Civil Engineering
QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION
Time, Cost, and Quality are triple constraints or three primary objectives that a project manager must balance in carrying out a project. What is quality? There are many definitions. The Institute of Quality Assurance (2002) says this about quality: In its broadest sense, quality is a degree of excellence. It is the extent to which…
The Versatility of Concrete
Concrete is a stone broken into small pieces and glued together with paste that is Portland cement, sand, and water. Concrete continues to get stronger when it gets older. Most of the hydration and strength gain take place within the first 28 days. However, hydration and gaining strength continues at a slower rate for many…
Non-Load Bearing Partition Walls
The external envelope of a building provides weather protection and security. However, the internal space becomes useless unless it is divided into meaningful compartments or rooms. The method of dividing the space is using internal walls. In some offices, this is achieved by the planned positioning of cupboards, pot plants, and movable screens. Internal walls…
Septic Tank and Soakage Pit
THE SEPTIC TANK The septic tank is used to treat the sewage from individual buildings. The sewage will pass through sewer pipes from toilets to the septic tank at the house. The septic tank is a sealed round or rectangular container that is used to break down the sewage so that it becomes effluent through…
DAMPNESS IN BUILDINGS
All buildings are surrounded more or less by natural moisture. Most buildings also contain moisture produced internally by normal habitation. Therefore, appropriate design measures are essential to keep the moisture away from the buildings. When these measures are insufficient, dampness can enter the building materials and cause deterioration. Rising Damp Mechanism of Attack – Rising…
Energy-Efficient Building Construction
Energy efficient buildings can be defined as buildings that are designed to provide a significant reduction of the energy needed during day to day operation of the building. Buildings use energy at different levels and for different purposes in every stage of the life cycle. A large part of the energy (35–60%) is used for…
CALICUT TILE ROOFING – ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Advantages Disadvantages
SEGREGATION OF CONCRETE
Segregation of concrete is the separation of cement paste and aggregates of the concrete from each other during handling and placement. Segregation also occurs due to over-vibration or compaction of concrete. During over-vibration, cement paste comes to the top and aggregates settle at the bottom, due to gravity. The strength and durability of concrete structures are…
Latent Defects and Patent Defects in Construction
Defects are features of the works that are not in conformity with the contract. Defects can be ‘patent’ or ‘latent’: Patent defects are those that can be exposed by reasonable inspection. Latent defects are those that cannot be exposed by reasonable inspection. For example, problems with foundations which may not become apparent for several years…
INHERENT WEAKNESSES OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
Remedial actions to be followed
Biological (Secondary) Treatment Systems
The purpose of primary treatment is to remove suspended solids and floating material. In some countries, primary treatment that results removing of approximately 40% to 60% of the suspended solids and 25% to 35% of BOD5, together with the removal of material from the wastewater, is adequate to meet the requirement of the receiving water…