Building Construction

Articles related to building construction technology and other aspects of civil engineering

Guide to Design of Simply Supported Slabs | Design of RCC Structures

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What are Simply Supported Slabs?

Simply supported slabs are supported on columns or stanchions. They have support on all four sides.

Simply Supported Slab
Simply Supported Slab

Simply supported slabs are classified as One way slabs and Two way slabs.

One way slabs bend in one direction only and transfer their loads to the two support beams in opposite directions. Their main steel in on shorter span length. L/B ratio is generally less than 2.

oneway

Two way slabs bend in both directions, and transfer their loads and stresses on all four sides. L/B ratio is equal to or greater than 2.

twoway

Simply supported slabs don’t give adequate provision to resist torsion at corner to prevent corner from lifting.

The maximum bending moment will be given if the slabs are restrained. But atleast 50% of the tension reinforcement provided at the mid span should extend to the support. The remaining 50% should extend to within 0.1Lx or Ly at the support as appropriate.

You can use a free app to design simply supported RCC Slab panel.

RCC Slab Design depends on the on the dimensions of the slab after which the slab is termed as a one-way slab or a two-way slab…

In the design of RCC structures, Column Design and Beam Design are to be done before we start with RCC Slab Design…

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Guide to Design of RCC Columns

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Reinforced Concrete Columns

A column is a very important component in a structure. It is like the legs on which a structure stands. It is designed to resist axial and lateral forces and transfer them safely to the footings in the ground.

You can manually calculate the superimposed loads on a column in a structure using a simple process outlined in this linked article.

You can hire me for your structural design need. Contact me.

Columns support floors in a structure. Slabs and beams transfer the stresses to the columns. So, it is important to design strong columns.

Reinforced Cement Concrete Column Plan and Section
Reinforced Cement Concrete Column Plan and Section

A column is defined as a compression member, the effective length of which exceeds three times the least lateral dimension. Compression members whose lengths do not exceed three times the least lateral dimension, may be made of plain concrete.

The axial load carrying capacity of a column is deduced from the formula

axialload
Please see the link for formulas to calculate axial loads in columns. I would recommend using advanced structural design software like ETabs or Staad Pro for design of structures. Column design does not depend only on axial loads, but also on many other factors. There are bending moments and tortional forces induced due to beam spans, wind loads, seismic loads, point loads and many other factors.

In this article, we are going to discuss in detail the basis of classification of columns and different types of reinforcement required for a certain type of column.

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Staircase Design | RCC Structures

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RCC Staircase Design

RCC Structures are nothing but reinforced concrete structures. RCC structure is composed of building components such as Footings, Columns, Beams, Slabs, Staircase etc.

These components are reinforced with steel that give stability to the structure. Staircase is one such important component in a RCC structure.

Dog Legged Stair | Staircase design
Dog Legged Stair | Staircase design

In this article, we will discuss different types of staircases and study the dog-legged reinforced cement concrete staircase design.

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Relationship between Structural and Architectural Design

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  • Structural Engineering and Architecture are two different sciences that are inter-related. Structural Designing deals with the study of design of steel in a structure i.e., the internal skeleton of the structure that helps to keep the structure durable, sound and stiff.
  • Whereas Architectural Design deals with design of spaces meant for a particular function. It helps to create ambient environment that is pleasing to eye. The Architect designs the building keeping all the functional aspects in mind that are to be incorporated into the design and then they are executed by a Civil or Structural Engineer.
Inter-relationship of Architectural Design and Structural Design
Inter-relationship of Architectural Design and Structural Design
  • The structures and structural members are designed to meet the functional and structural aspects. Both the aspects are inter-related. The functional aspect takes into consideration the purpose for which the building or the structure is designed. The functional aspect includes the determination of the amount and arrangement of space necessary for the structure.

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Methods of Structural Design | Design of Steel Structures

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Structural design is the science of studying the Mechanics of a structure. Designing the skeleton of a building determines the real strength of the structure.

If the structure is externally beautiful and internally weak, it results into dramatic structural failure.

Structural Framework in a building
Structural Framework in a building

In this article, we are going to discuss in detail about the “Various Methods of Structural Design”.

All parts of a structural steel framework of a structure shall be capable of sustaining the most adverse combination of dead loads, the prescribed super imposed roof and floor loads, wind loads, seismic forces where applicable, and any other forces or loads to which the building maybe reasonably subjected without exceeding the permissible stresses.

The following methods may be employed for existing steel framework:

  1. Simple design
  2. Semi-rigid design
  3. Fully rigid design
  4. Plastic design

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Task Lighting | Art of illumination

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Lighting or illumination is done to achieve some ambient and aesthetic effect. Lighting enhances the beauty of the structure. The kind of lighting to be done depends on the kind of space.

Lighting done to illuminate the interiors and enhance the aesthetics is different from the lighting done in the exteriors, it could be done to illuminate the external facade of the building or to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the landscape at night.

Task Lighting
Task Lighting

Lighting can be classified into various different methods of lighting. It can be broadly classified as :

  1. Direct Lighting
  2. Indirect Lighting
  3. Concealed lighting
  4. Semi-concealed lighting

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Tubular Steel Monitor Roof truss | Large Span Constructions

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Steel Trusses

The trusses are structural members and comprise of one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. The triangular members arranged in series and supported on the walls.

Major use of steel trusses is being done in the construction of large span structures such as industries, factories, Auditoriums, Cinema Theatres, Shopping Malls, Concert Halls etc.

Trussed Bridge
Trussed Bridge

But the use of steel trusses is not limited to various types only. Major use of trusses is also seen in the construction of bridges.

Roof coverings used over Steel trusses

RCC roof can be used over the trussed construction but usually to keep the roof lightweight, asbestos sheets are used as roof covering.

Plastics sheets are also used as roof covering.

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Ambient Lighting Techniques | Art Of Illumination

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The dining room of today is rarely used just for entertaining and formal dining.

Most often the dining table doubles as a work zone for homework or projects, meetings and crafts, and last, but not least as a gathering place for family and friends.

Dining room lighting
Dining room lighting

A place where everyone can unwind over a good meal and enjoy each other’s company.
You need flexibility in your dining room lighting scheme in order to create the right setting for different occasions.

Study of Dining lighting is important so as to create a soothing environment where you can modify the lighting systems according to your mood.

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Guide to Repair and Maintenance of Buildings

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We have to first make a report that includes all the defects in the buildings in every component…

For this analysing  the structure, we have to take up preliminary inspection and observations are to be noted down.

The preliminary inspection and observation will include five basic steps:

  1. Climate of the surroundings
  2. Location of the Structure
  3. Building type and change in use
  4. Age of the building
  5. Physical inspection of the building components
Repair and maintenance of old building
Repair and maintenance of old building

Step 1 :

Analysis of the Climatic condition of the surroundings

  • It is very essential to consider the climatic conditions of the surroundings of the structure because determining the kind of climate the place has, figuring out the defects in building materials will be easier.

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Dining lighting | The Art of Illumination

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Lights not only illuminate a dining room, but can be used for accentuating its certain aspects also.

Lighting plays a very important role in the overall décor of a dining room. It can make even a simple room look very much attractive, cheerful and welcoming. While suitable dining room lights can leave a great impression, harsh ones can make the ambience look very imposing. So, make sure to choose the correct type of lighting for your dining room, keeping the necessary tips in mind.

Here are some of the Dining lighting fixtures that can be used to enhance the ambience of a Dining room:

Dining room light fixtures

Sconce Lights

Sconce lights are a unique type of wall light which is designed to create focused illumination.

They can be used in a dining room to create a low level of light and to spotlight specific objects or areas in the room that you want to stand out. Sconce lights do protrude from the wall so they should be mounted at around 72 inches from the floor.

Sconce lights
Sconce lights

They also need to match the general décor of the dining room so they don’t stand out.

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