Learn about civil engineering

Levelling (or Leveling) is a branch of surveying, the object of which is:  i) to find the elevations of given points with respect to a given or assumed datum, and ii) to establish points at a given or assumed datum. The first operation is required to enable the works to be designed while the second operation is required in the setting out of all kinds of engineering works. Levelling deals with measurements in a vertical plane. Level surface: A level surface is defined as a curved surface which at each point is perpendicular to the direction of gravity at the point. The surface of a still water is a truly level surface. Any surface parallel to the mean spheroidal surface of the earth is, therefore, a level surface. Level line: A level line is a line lying in a level surface. It is, therefore, normal to the plumb line at all points. Horizontal plane: Horizontal plane through a point is a plane tangential to the level surface at that point. It is, therefore, perpendicular to t...

DEFINE :  Surveying has to do with the determination of the relative spatial location of points on or near  the surface of the earth. • It is the art of measuring horizontal and vertical distances between objects, of measuring angles between lines, of determining the direction of lines, and of establishing points by predetermined angular and linear measurements. • Along with the actual survey measurements are the mathematical calculations. • Distances, angles, directions, locations, elevations, areas, and volumes are thus determined from the data of the survey. • Survey data is portrayed graphically by the construction of maps, profiles, cross sections, and diagrams. Types of surveying: Geodetic Surveying: The type of surveying that takes into account the true shape of the earth. These surveys are of high precision and extend over large areas. Plane Surveying:  The type of surveying in which the mean surface of the earth is conside...

Tests on Cement at Construction Site To Check Quality of Cement Quality tests on cements at construction site (also called field tests on cement) are carried to know the quality of cement supplied at site. It gives some idea about cement quality based on colour, touch and feel and other tests. Tests on Cement at Construction site The following are the quality tests on cement at construction site: Color test Presence of lumps Adulteration test Temperature test Float tests Strength test Setting test Date of packing Color Test of Cement The color of the cement should be uniform. It should be grey colour with a light greenish shade. Presence of Lumps The cement should be free from any hard lumps. Such lumps are formed by the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Any bag of cement containing such lumps should be rejected. <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> var aax_size='300x600'; var aax_pub...

A cement is a binder, a substance used in construction that sets, hardens and adheres to other materials, binding them together. Cement is seldom used solely, but is used to bind sand and gravel (aggregate) together. Cement is used with fine aggregate to produce mortar for masonry, or with sand and gravel aggregates to produce concrete The following are the types of cement that are in practice: Rapid Hardening Cement Quick setting cement Low Heat Cement Sulphates resisting cement Blast Furnace Slag Cement High Alumina Cement White Cement Coloured cement Pozzolanic Cement Air Entraining Cement Hydrographic cement Types of Cement and uses Rapid Hardening Cement Composition :  Increased Lime content   Purpose :  Attains high strength in early days it is used in concrete where formworks are removed at an early stage. Quick setting cement   Composition:  Small percentage of aluminum sulphate as an accelerator and reducing percentage ...

CONCRETE GRADES: M5 = 1:4:8 M10= 1:3:6 M15= 1:2:4 M20=  1:1.5:3 M25= 1:1:2 CLEAR COVER TO MAIN REINFORCEMENT: 1.FOOTINGS : 50 mm 2.RAFT  FOUNDATION.TOP : 50 mm 3.RAFT FOUNDATION.BOTTOM/SIDES : 75 mm 4.STRAP BEAM  : 50 mm 5.GRADE SLAB : 20 mm 6.COLUMN : 40 mm 7.SHEAR WALL : 25  mm 8.BEAMS : 25 mm 9.SLABS : 15 mm 10.FLAT SLAB : 20 mm 11.STAIRCASE  : 15 mm 12.RET. WALL : 20/ 25 mm on earth 13.WATER RETAINING STRUCTURES :  20/30 mm WEIGHT OF ROD PER METER LENGTH: DIA WEIGHT PER METER = D*D/162 6mm = 0.222Kg 8mm = 0.395 Kg 10mm = 0.616 Kg 12mm = 0.888  Kg 16mm = 1.578 Kg 20mm = 2.466 Kg 25mm = 3.853 Kg 32mm = 6.313  Kg 40mm = 9.865 Kg

About Safe bearing capacity Excavate a pit of required depth. (preferably equal to the depth of foundation) Take a solid ball or square cube of known weight and dimension. Drop the ball or square cube several times, from a known height on to the bottom surface of excavated pit. Calculate the average depth of impression made several times on the bottom surface of the excavated pit. Let “d” is the average depth of impression. CALCULATION Calculate the ultimate resistance of soil ( R ) using the formula given below. R = (w * h) / d Where, R = Ultimate resistance of soil (in kg) d = Average depth of impression (in cm) w = Weight of the solid ball or square cube (in kg) h = Height of fall of solid ball or cube (in cm) If “A” is the cross-sectional area of the solid steel ball or cube, then resistance of soil per unit area is calculated using following formula. Resistance of soil per unit area (in kg/cm2) = R / A Safe bearing capacity (in kg/cm2) = R / (A * F.O.S...

Follow this for more: 1.Common misconception is that all civil engineers will be site engineers which is wrong. There will be civil engineers in the following functions too. Planning Contracts   Quantity survey Tendering and bidding Design Quality Control, 2. When it comes to site execution, Every civil engineer must know that the supervisors working under them are not their slaves. We earn respect only when we show some respect to our juniors level engineers or supervisors. When safety department in-charge says something, civil engineers need to follow to avoid any unwanted circumstances (like accidents or death in the site). Don't waste the scrap. Recycle it and reuse it. Ex: You can even use unwanted cut steel bars for barricading purpose. 3. When it comes to project execution, Every civil engineer's ultimate aim should be completing the project within the stipulated time without any delay and within the specified budget Minimum thickness o...