The Civil Engineer

25/09/2017

Biomimicry or biomimetics is a concept as old as time but in terms of scientific study is a new field, especially in India where there are no undergraduate or postgraduate courses in the subject.

It is a course nature has taken by storm. Biomimicry -a term derived from 'bios' meaning life, and 'mimesis' meaning to imitate, is a relatively new science that explores designs and ideas inspired by nature to solve human problems.

25/09/2017

Illinois researchers have developed materials that not only heal, but regenerate. The restorative material is delivered through two, isolated fluid streams (dyed red and blue).

Looking at a smooth sheet of plastic in a laboratory, no one would guess that an impact had recently blasted a hole through it. Researchers have developed materials that not only heal, but regenerate. Until now, self-repairing materials could only bond tiny microscopic cracks. The new regenerating m...

25/09/2017

Under the transactional business model, the supply team on a project has its relationship defined by the transaction – the amount it is paid in exchange for the service it delivers. This, argues those behind Project 13, means that keeping down cost is the overriding factor for delivery rather than what is best for a project’s lifetime and outcomes. It is argued that if a supply chain works as an enterprise – everyone collectively working together as one business towards the project outcomes – the project will be more efficient, more innovative and more productive.

A better approach to delivering high performance infrastructure

16/06/2015

Structural Engineering Marvels : Rolling Bridge

Building big isn't the only way for engineers to make an impression. The Rolling Bridge, which allows pedestrians to walk over the Grand Union Canal in London, spans just 39 feet (11.8 meters). But its innovative design more than makes up for its diminutive stature. The bridge consists of eight timber-and-steel sections hinged together so that, fully extended, it lies flat. Then, under action of hydraulic pistons, the sections can lift and pivot to allow the entire structure to curl upon itself, much like a pill bug rolling into a ball. While boats pass through the unobstructed canal, the bridge sits on the bank like a piece of sculpture.

The Rolling Bridge is the brainchild of Thomas Heatherwick, who has designed other architectural oddities, such as the giant cauldron that burned during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the B of the Bang starburst sculpture. In 2008, the city of Manchester asked Heatherwick to take down B of the Bang because it kept shedding spikes. So far, the Rolling Bridge has presented no such dangers. In fact, in 2005, it received a Structural Steel Design Award, with the judges noting that the bridge was a "joyful addition to the [Paddington Basin] development area that has all the appearance of a Leonardo sketch when in the 'rolled' position."

16/06/2015

Structural Engineering Marvels : Laerdal Tunnel

To connect the Norwegian cities of Laerdal and Aurland highway engineers were forced to solve a small problem: the Hornsnipa and Jeronnosi mountains. Instead of going around the obstacles, they decided to go through them. The result was the Laerdal Tunnel, which runs through solid gneiss rock for 15 miles (24 kilometers), earning it the title of the world's longest completed road tunnel.

Excavating such a structure is only one of the challenges. Designers also have to ensure that motorists can make the long, underground trek without succumbing to "highway hypnosis." To address this problem, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration called in a team of psychologists to make sure the finished roadway was as stimulating as possible. The agency recommended including blue lights and gentle curves to keep drivers engaged. They also suggested that the final tunnel be divided into four sections to help reduce monotony.

Motorists entering the Laerdal Tunnel today might not notice these design enhancements, but they'll certainly appreciate them when they emerge safely into daylight after the 20-minute journey through the middle of a mountain.

16/06/2015

Live loads are different for different buildings and structures. It keeps changing from time to time even on same structure. Examples for live loads are weight of persons, movable partitions, dust loads, weight of furniture etc. These loads should be suitable assumed by the designed. It is one of the major loads in structural design. The minimum live loads per square meter area for different types of structures are given in IS 875 (Part-2)-1987.

http://thestructuralengineer.blogspot.in/2015/06/live-loads-for-different-building-floors.html

15/02/2015

Engineering facts:

Engineers solve practical problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge.

The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’.

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact.

The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides.

As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet).

26/11/2014

The world without Civil Engineers

26/11/2014

De-shuttering period

26/11/2014

CiViL Engineering

26/11/2014

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
• Lapping is not allowed for the bars having diameters more than 36 mm.
• Chair spacing maximum spacing is 1.00 m (or) 1 No per 1m2.
• For dowels rod minimum of 12 mm diameter should be used.
• Chairs minimum of 12 mm diameter bars to be used.
• Longitudinal reinforcement not less than 0.8% and more than 6% of gross C/S.
• Minimum bars for square column is 4 No’s and 6 No’s for circular column.
• Main bars in the slabs shall not be less than 8 mm (HYSD) or 10 mm (Plain bars) and the distributors not less than 8 mm and not more than 1/8 of slab thickness.
• Minimum thickness of slab is 125 mm.
• Dimension tolerance for cubes + 2 mm.
• Free fall of concrete is allowed maximum to 1.50m.
• Lap slices not be used for bar larger than 36 mm.
• Water absorption of bricks should not be more than 15 %.
• PH value of the water should not be less than 6.
• Compressive strength of Bricks is 3.5 N / mm2.
• In steel reinforcement binding wire required is 8 kg per MT.
• In soil filling as per IS code, 3 samples should be taken for core cutting test for every 100m2.

06/03/2014

The finite element method (FEM) is the dominant discretization technique in structural mechanics. The basic concept in the physical interpretation of the FEM is the subdivision of the mathematical model into disjoint (non-overlapping) components of simple geometry called finite elements or elements for short.

http://thestructuralengineer.blogspot.in/2013/12/introduction-to-fem.html