Hump Pipe Culvert (HPC)

By Bhushan Kapse

What is HPC structure?

·  It is an RCC structure, used to pass water from one side to other of road or canal structure.

·        The structure contains following parts

1.     Tank (upstream side)

2.     Pipe

3.     Wall ( downstream side)

 

1.     Tank (upstream side)

·  Tank is situated at the upstream side of structure which is used to collect water from height.

·  The structure of tank consists of four RCC wall, the walls must be battle wall.

 Battle wall acts as a retaining wall so that it  helps to oppose the forces which are exerted from water and soil.

· The height of wall is provided up to ground level.

·  Tank contains free space for water; this space should be 1ft. RCC structure form bottom embankment.

 

 

2.     Pipe

· Generally, 600mm to 900 mm diameter pipes are used.

·  The pipe are placed at the level of NBL ( NBL is  level of naturally flowing water)

·  Normally in India, 2.5 m pipe length is used.

·  According to the structure of HPC at road or canal, numbers of pipes are decided.

·  Pipes are fixed by using concrete, so that water can flow through pipe from upstream to downstream.

 

3.     Wall ( downstream side)

·  It is most common RCC structure which contains battle structure.

·  The top width of wall is 300mm and pipes re fixed at middle of wall.

·  For 1m height, 0.45 m battle is provided for the wall, so that load of water and pipes can be sustained.

 

 

AAC Blocks

What is AAC block?

Autoclaved aerated concrete is producing concrete masonry unit (CMU) which is, lightweight, durable, load-bearing, and high-insulating building product. It is composed of quartz sand, calcite, gypsum, lime, cement, aluminum powder and water. It is available in wide range of sizes and strength.

 

Why Should We Use The AAC Block In Building Construction?

· AAC blocks are suitable for the high rise buildings. If we use AAC for building construction, it requires less steel and concrete for structural members.

· The lower number of joints requires for AAC block, therefore the required quantity of mortar is less.

·   AAC blocks are suitable in areas with extreme temperatures, due to their property of thermal insulation.

· They are leading to faster construction.

 

Advantages of AAC Block

·  They help to improve thermal efficiency and reduce the heating and cooling load in buildings.

·  Their porous structure provides superior fire resistance.

·   Due to their workable property, they permit accurate cutting, so that the generation of solid waste during use can be minimized.

·  Due to their light weight, they can be easily handled as well as saved cost and energy in transportation, labor expenses.

· The sizes of AAC blocks are larger which leads to faster masonry work.

·  They create at least 30% less solid waste than traditional concrete as well as there is a decrease of 50% of greenhouse gas emissions.

· This material is airy and allows diffusions of water.

· They are good moisture resistance and reduce humidity in building.

· They are long-lasting and eco-friendly.

· They have high compressive strength, soundproof, and non-toxic.

 

Disadvantages of AAC Block

·  In rainy weather, AAC crack after installation. By ensuring the blocks are dry, cracking can be reduced.

·  They are brittle in nature, they should be handled carefully.

 

Different Types of Steel Beam

 Introduction

In the article we are discussing the different types of steel beam used in construction. Any building or structure like bridges and so many, steel beams are the essential component or element used.  They are available in different shapes and sizes. According to our requirement or suitability we can use them. Every steel beam provides unique properties, which gives proper and exact the level of support for the type of construction.

Types of Steel Beam

The steel beams are used to carry the loads from structure to the adjoining supports. The steel beams are really essential and important for the construction of any building or structure like bridges, skyscrapers, etc. They are available in various shapes and sizes.  According to their suitability and beneficial we can use the correct one for our construction.

Each and Every different steel beam offers unique properties, which fulfill the exact requirement of support of the any type of construction.

Following are the types of steel beam according to their shapes.

1.      I- Beam

2.      W-Beam

3.      S Section Beam

4.      Tee Beam

5.      Channels (C- Shaped)

6.      Angles (L- Shaped)

7.      Hollow Structural Section (HSS) 

1.      I- Beam

·     I beam identify as H beam or universal beam. It contains two horizontal elements called as flanges and one vertical element which know as web.

·    The web is able to resisting shear forces and the horizontal flanges resist most of the beam’s bending movement.

·    I beam mostly used in construction industry with its various sizes.

 

 

2.      W-Beam

·  W- Beam is similar to I beam; they are mostly used in residential construction.

·  It is also called as wide flange beams.

 

3.      S Section Beam

·   S beam is the American standard beam, which has a rolled section with two parallel flanges which all are connected by a web.

·   Flanges are relatively narrow in S- shaped beams.

4.      Tee Beam

·  Tee beam or T beam has T shaped which get by cutting steel beam longitudinally through their webs, ensuing in a single full flange and a half-deep web.

 

5.      Channels (C- Shaped)

·  C channel or C beam has a c-shaped cross-section, which has single web flanked by upper and lower flanges.

·   Channels consist of top and bottom flanges which are connected by web.

·   They are more suitable for short to medium span structures for their cost-effectiveness.

·   They are not as strong as other types of beam; therefore they are suitable for supporting lighter loads.

 

6.      Angles (L- Shaped)

·  Angle beam are L shaped section which having equal or unequal legs that come together at  90⁰ angle.

·   They are used in floor system to reduce structural depth.

 

7.      Hollow Structural Section (HSS)

·   HSS is a hollow, turbulence cross-sectional metal profile. They can be square, rectangular, elliptical or circular in section.

·   Rectangular and circular sections of HSS are more efficient in terms of local failures. The rectangular hollow section is more resistant to the local buckling.

·   They are mostly used in trusses, etc.

 

Types of Connections in Steel Structure

Introduction

Connections are the most important and basic need of the steel structure or element, without connection the steel structure cannot construct properly. Connections connect the available standard sections of steel make huge structure. Failure of structure can be occurred if proper connection not provided. So the design of proper connections is important.

For safety and economy of structure, the major portion of cost of steel structure consists of connections.

The Connections are provided in following cases:

· When there is need to supply the heavy load and long span then the built-up- sections is to be provided. In such case, this section should be connected together to get good section.

· When longer span, the length of standard section requires to be connected with other section.

· At the end different members require to be connected.

Types of connections

Connections are generally made by bolting and welding. In field connections, bolting is commonly used, because it is simple and economical to make. From consideration of safety bolting is appropriate in field connections. Welded connections are easier to make and more efficient.

The types of connections provided in steel structure,

1.     Bolted Connection

2.     Welded Connection

3.     Riveted Connection

 

1.     Bolted Connection

· Bolted connections are most commonly used connections, due to flexibility in assembling of its parts of structure and dissembling it.

· A bolt is metal pin with head formed at one end and shank threaded at other end through which nut can be received.

· Pieces of metals are connected by bolt by inserting them into the holes of metals and nut should be threaded end.

· The process of erection of structure is faster, but the material cost is high.

· It can be done with less and unskilled labors.

· Following types of bolts are used in bolted connections which depend on resultant force transferred, types of force, and force of mechanism.

Ø On The Basis Of Resultant Force Transferred

o   Concentric Connections: if load of structural member passes through CG (center of gravity) of the section then this types of connections are called concentric connection.

o   Eccentric connections: if the resultant force is acting away from the CG of the connections.

o   Moment resisting connections: if the connections are subjected to moments is called moment resisting connections.

 Ø On The Basis Of  Type Of Force

o   Shear Connections: when the load occurred through shear the connections are called as shear connections.

o   Tension Connection: when the load occurred through tension on the bolts connections are called as tension connections.

o   Combined Tension Shear Connections: when bracket connection is used to connect the inclined member to the column of structure.

Ø On The Basis Of  Force Mechanism:

o   Bearing Type Connections: To transfer the force bolts bear against the hole.

o   Friction Type Connections: The force is transferred through frictions between the plates due to tension.

 

2.     Welded Connection

·   Welded connections are direct and efficient way of transferring forces from one member to the adjacent member.

·  Welded connections are done by melting base metal from parts to be joined with weld metal, which after cooling form connections.

·  Welded connection categorized as, fillet welds or butt welds.

 

 

3.     Riveted Connection

·   In modern steel construction riveted joints are very rarely used. The design and behavior of riveted connections are similar to bearing type of bolted construction.

·  A rivet is made up of mild steel or high tensile steel.

·  The rivet shank expands to fill the hole as being driven, so the structural rivets are driven hot.

·  For the calculation of rivet strength, the hole diameter is used in spite of the nominal rivet diameter. Because of that the slip is less s compared to bearing type bolted joint.

·   While cooling, the rivet shank length reduces, due to causing some clamping force.

 

 

Basic Building Materials Used In Construction

Introduction

For the construction of any type of structure important or basic materials are used which we called construction materials. So the construction industry used various building materials according to the type of building, and type of structure.

Every material has its own characteristics, and play important role as a construction material. There are various tests to check suitability of proper materials. The choice of material is depended on the cost and aesthetics. The construction materials are

A.    Natural Materials

B.     Man-Made Materials

 

A.    Natural Materials

The materials which are naturally occurred and unprocessed by industry are called natural materials.

1.      Mud And Clay

2.      Rock/ Stone

3.      Thatch

4.      Brush

5.      Bamboo

6.      Wood

7.      Fabric

8.      Ice

9.      Puzzolana

 

B.     Man-Made Materials

The materials which are processed by industry are called man-made materials.

10.  Concrete

11.  Brick And Block

12.  Metal

13.  Glass

14.  Plastic

15.  Ceramic

16.  Foam

17.  Kevlar

18.  Straw

 

1.      Mud And Clay

·  Mud and clay are used from longer time as construction materials. They have significant property of thermal insulation.

·  Durability of mud as construction material we can see the example of great china wall.

· Effectiveness of clay and mud depend upon its quality.

·  Cob or adobe style is signified the high presence of clay in soil whereas low quality resembles sod building.

·  Sand, gravels, straw or grasses can be added in the mud or clay which molds them in rammed earth.

2.      Rock / Stone

·  Rock or stone as construction material is used from as long as history. It is long-lasting construction material which is usually available.

·  Different types of rock or stone available in the world, every rock has its different significant from other.

·  Rock or stone is very solid, durable and protective material.

·  It is highly weighted material, which is its drawback.

· Rock or stone structure required less maintenance, and it has high durability.

· Different types of mortar are used to hold stone like cement, etc.

·  Slate and granite are the example stone, which are used for various purposes.

 

3.      Thatch

·  Thatch is one of the oldest construction materials, which is called as grass.

· Thatch is a good insulator as well as easily harvested.

·  Africa and New Zealand used the thatch roof on houses.

 

4.      Brush

·  Brush structures are made up from branches, twigs, and leaves, barks of plant

·  The structure is mostly found in tropical and subtropical areas, like rainforest, where amount of leaves are available.

5.      Bamboo

·  Bamboo is flexible, strong, and sustainable material so it can be used in many ways.

· In place bamboo make sense, it can be used.

 

6.      Wood

·  Wood is the oldest building material used as building material. It is used as a building component like beam, and frames of large structure like bridge and multistory building.

·  It is an eco-friendly and economical natural resource.

·  It has various properties which makes it ideal material, such as it is lightweight, can easily standardize in size, easily available, and acting as good insulator.

 

7.      Fabric

· Fabric is the choice of nomadic i.e. travelling groups the world over, for the tent, which is known as conical teepee and circular yurt.

· In the past, cotton and hemp were used as a fabric for building materials and construction.

·  Fabric is strong and reliable material, with development of tensile architecture and synthetics fabrics, major construction technique can revive.

·  It is light weighted and easily install-able, and need low maintenance.

 

8.      Ice

·  Ice is used as building  material in Northern colder regions, ices was sued by Intuits to make their Igloos.

· For making ice hotel, ice is used. Construction of ice structure can be done rapidly.

 

9.      Puzzolana

·  ‘Puzzouli’ is the town in Italy, from which puzzolana name is originated.

· Around this town, the volcanic dust is formed due to the frequent eruption of the nearby volcano mixed with hydrated lime which posses hydraulic properties, this dust called puzzolana.

·  Puzzolana is building material used in construction, which used before arrival of the cement, puzzolana is mixed with lime to make concrete.    

 

10.  Concrete

·  Concrete is the famous composite building material which is widely used in construction.

· The concrete is the combination of sand, cement, aggregate and water with particular proportions.

·  After the mixture of all the materials, cement hydrates, and with finally it hardens like stone.

· Concrete has high compressive strength but low tensile strength, so the steel rods and bars are used with concrete.

· The concrete is durable, harden and easy to transport.

 

 

11.  Brick And Block

·  To built structure bricks or blocks are used. They are durable and fire resistance.

·  The bricks are bound together by mortar. Bricks are economical material to use for multistory building.

· A brick is an element of three dimension which are length, height and width which also refer as thickness.

· The Brick is three-dimensional elements but it can be laid in six different orientations.

· When the brick is placed on its stretcher, height and length which is called face dimension.

·  Modular brick  has size of 19 × 9 × 9 cm and 19 × 9 × 4 cm which is the  size of  a standard brick

·  When 19 × 9 × 9 cm brick, placed in masonry with mortar, it becomes 20 × 10 × 10 cm.

 

12.  Metal

·  For larger buildings like skyscrapers or as an external surface covering, metal is used as structural framework.

·  Various types of metals are used for building, such as steel which is alloy of major component is iron.

·  Metal is always strong, durable, and flexible. But corrosion is the enemy of metal comes with endurance.

·  Aluminum alloy and tin are better resistance to corrosion, so their cost is high.

· Metals have high tensile strength.

13.  Glass

·  Glass was invented in 3600 B. C. which is prepared by heating sand and silicates at high temperatures.

·  Glass is brittle proof and energy efficient material. And allow light to enter in room and human to see through glass window.

 

14.  Plastic

· Plastic is cheap and unsustainable material, whose name is derived from the fact in its semi-liquid state.

· The semi liquid state is flexible having the property of plasticity.

· The plastic is a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic condensation or polymerization products which can be molded or extruded into objects.

· Plastics vary greatly in heat tolerance, resiliency and hardness.

· Plastic is light material can utilize and transport easily, plastic pipe are mostly used in high rise building.

15.  Ceramic

· Ceramicscan be used as tiles, fixtures, covering in building, etc.

· Ceramic used to cover on floors, walls, counter-tops, roof, etc.

· Ceramic is the form of clay-pottery which was fired in kilns. But now it has involved technical and functional areas.

·  It is lightweight, have high strength and hard to impact.

16.  Foam

· At CIBC bank in Toronto, foamed plastics sheets are used s backing for fire stop mortar.

· Foam is light weighted, excellent insulator and easily shaped.

·  The foam is sandwiched between wood and cement, in the structural insulated panel.

17.  Kevlar

·  Kevlar is stronger than metal shield, and having high tensile strength.

·  It has less rigid composition than steel, so it is used in large buildingstructure.

 

18.  Straw

·  Straw are good to create a passive thermal environment, shielding from rain and blending into similar natural surroundings.