civil engineering, Final year civil engineering

Final year Civil Engineering Projects Topic – 100 sample topics.

September 15, 2020 Anaswara 8 Comments

Final year Civil engineering project are the tipping point of your college activities. While you prepare yourself to bid goodbye to your college, this is like a nagging friend. Well, not really. It is the last chance to exercise your skills in civil engineering and practice what you learnt in the textbooks. You will come across all the details on final-year civil engineering projects as well as final-year civil engineering project topics in the blog.

Importance of final year civil engineering project topics

This experimental stage is crucial for your career because,

They open the window to your interest after graduation
You get to participate in a team and improve your leadership skills
You can improve your presentation skills
You will get guidance from a faculty who has expertise in the field which enables individual attention.
The hands-on experience gives you more confidence in the field

Things to consider before you start doing final year civil engineering project topics

a) Selection of project topics for Civil engineering project

The topic should be of your interest
It should be accomplished within the academic schedule
The topic should be relevant in the current scenario or contribute complementary or supplementary data to engineering research and development
The resources related to the selected Civil engineering subject should be available to you

b) Picking the right team for project topics for Civil engineering project

You should be keen while choosing your teammates. First of all, they should have similar interests as you and should be able to fill in the gaps where you are weak.

c) Approaching a guide for the project

The guide for your final year civil engineering projects should be able to provide you with the required guidance for completing the project. And supportive too (why allow backstabbing?). You may ask the guide’s previous team about their experience with them.

So, the first baby milestone is taken care of. Now, let me introduce the major topics for the final year project in civil engineering.

100 Civil engineering project topics for you

I have categorized the civil engineering project topics based on the branch of civil engineering to which they belong. For any details regarding the listed topics for Civil engineering project please mail me

vincivilworld@gmail.com

Structural- one of the favourite civil engineering project topics of design enthusiasts

The use of fibres in Reducing Crack widths of Reinforced Cement Concrete Beams with higher covers to reinforcement
Utilization of steel slag in sustainable concrete
Economic Construction of Slabs using Bubble Deck Technology
Master Plan of Medical College and structural design of the Main block
Study of CO2 absorbing concrete
Analysis and design of balanced cantilever liver
Development of sustainable particle boards from water hyacinth and pineapple leaf pulps
Structural analysis of a building
Manufacturing of concrete by adding fibre as reinforced material
Evaluation of strain and crack width in beams using photogrammetric methods

Building Construction – Topics for Civil engineering project

Analysis for seismic retrofitting of buildings
Silica fume concrete
Structural analysis of a building with Autodesk robot structural analysis professional
Building Information Modelling
Causes Prevention and Repair of Cracks In Building
Corrosion Mechanism, Prevention & Repair Measures of RCC Structure
Formwork types & design
Mineral admixture for high-performance concrete
Impact of lightening on building and remedial measures
Passive solar energy buildings
Rectification of building tilt
Rehabilitation techniques
Retrofitting using FRP laminates
Stability of high-rise buildings.
The rain roof water-harvesting system
Zero energy buildings
Non-destructive testing of concrete (UPV)

Applicability of Sandwich Panels made of Papercrete for low-cost housing
Glass fibre Reinforced Gypsum hollow interlocking blocks
Coastal protection at your locality: Design, Analysis and Investigation
Design for the aerated concrete mix using bentonite and zeolite: an eco-friendly approach
Design of pigmented bituminous mix
Effectiveness of retrofitting on beam with corroded bars using steel mesh
Semi-Automated Cement plastering Machine
Fibre Reinforced Light Weight Bricks (FRLWB)
Effect of steel slag as fine aggregate in ambient cured alkali-activated concrete
Study on swelling behaviour of marine clay using GGBS and lime
Effect of micropile on the foundation
Partial replacement of coarse aggregates by Mangalore tiles
production of pelletized artificial fly ash aggregates by polymerisation
Energy conservation and analysis of structures using bim
Partial replacement of coarse aggregate by recycled coarse aggregate and fine aggregate by crumb rubber in self-compacting concrete
Detecting and quantifying damages in bridges using vibration-based transmissibility function
Curvature characteristics of RCC beam using photogrammetry techniques
Gcl with filter material as an alternative barrier system in waste landfill
Experimental investigation on bio-concrete
The fuzzy logic approach in construction delay analysis
Strength and durable properties of concrete using the oyster shell as partial replacement

Environmental – Best of all civil engineering project topics of nature lovers

Performance Assessment of Constructed Wetland in Treatment of Wastewater
Green bricks for a sustainable future
Methods for water purification based on by principle of coagulation from dry seeds of fruits
Analysis of water ( Chlorine content, salt content) of regions near the beach and kayal
Plastic tiles
Bioplastic
Feasibility Study of Underground Water Diversion System at CIAL – A Flood Mitigation Method
Biotiles
Underground Flood Management System
Alternative Early Disaster Warning System
Sustainable Housing in Flood Prone Areas
Self-Closing Flood Barrier
Dairy Wastewater Treatment by CABR and Chitosan
Graphite detector for landslide
Design of water treatment plant for construction purposes near parvathi puthanar
Eco-friendly waste management system & vehicular exhaust filter vacuum blackboard duster
Amphibious housing scheme using waste plastic bottles for flood-affecting areas
Flood resistant house

Transportation engineering – Topics for Civil engineering project

Development of a dynamic real-time traffic control system
Performance evaluation of aged rubberised bitumen
The utilisation of crab shells in bituminous mixes
Analysis of pedestrian safety
Pervious concrete pavement
Combined Imaging technologies
Automated highway systems
Intelligent transport systems
Utilization of flood deposits in the sub-base layer of flexible pavement
Waste engine oil as a rejuvenating agent in RAP
Mix design of payments
Design of an Android Application for the development of an advanced public transit information system for KSRTC buses
Implementation of RCA as pavement material
Emergency Service Pathway
Assessment of methods to solve traffic congestion at the main junction
Comparison of different surface mixes for low-volume roads
Study of strength characteristic of paver blocks using plastic waste
An experimental study to find the deflection in pavement subgrade stabilized with phosphogypsum
Development Of A Low-Cost Mechanism For Pavement Performance Evaluation
Traffic Air Quality Modelling and Health Risk Assessment
Solar panelled roads
Emulsion-treated bases for flexible pavement

Geotechnical

The effect of vetiver roots on erosion control in slopes
Geophysical Characterisation of the Pamba River Deposit and Possible Applications
Study on the effect of coir pith and activated carbon on lead-contaminated soil
Soilless media for agriculture
Pile foundation
Soil liquefaction
Soil stabilization using arikka fibre
Using plastic as a soil stabilizer
Fluoride removal in water using bio adsorbent
Water quality analysis of different rooftop water harvesting systems
Waste audit in Kanjirapally
Water purification in Kuttanad using natural filter media
Soil stabilization using bio enzymes
Wastewater treatment using natural adsorbents
Effect of nano-silica on piping behaviour of soil
Stabilization of Kari soil
Subgrade soil stabilization using biopolymers (agar powder)
Implementation of Integrated Greywater Reuse System In Residential Buildings
Land use land cover change detection using remote sensing and gis
Soil stabilization using waste materials
Effectiveness of permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for the treatment of leachate-contaminated groundwater
Investigating the potential of biopolymers in the strengthening clayey soil
Investigations on the Efficiency of Constructed Wetlands in Sewage Treatment
Solar-based water purification unit for Kuttanad region
Automated infiltrometer

Hydraulics

Planning and Design of a Small Hydro Electric Project
Automation for control of water flow from the canal
Design of water supply pipelines using GIS and EPANET
Automated chemostat treatment for bio-polishing of refinery effluents
Household water treatment unit for rural communities
design of water treatment plant at your campus using vermifiltration
Modified hydram system
Decontaminating conduits

MUST READ: BE Civil engineering subjects semester-wise complete details!

I’m pretty sure that you will have a lot more doubts regarding your final year civil engineering projects that hover around your brain. Also, when you want more details on any of the above-mentioned civil engineering project topics, drop them in the comments!

AAC blocks, Building materials

Advantages of AAC blocks – A Superior Brick Alternative

September 13, 2020 Vinod Gopinath 2 Comments

The advantages of AAC blocks over other alternatives stamps it as a perfect and superior building material in comparison with conventional bricks. Advantages of AAC blocks and their properties are listed out in detail.

Advantages of AAC blocks

AAC Blocks or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks are lightweight, load-bearing, durable, and economical walling material. They are eco-sensitive and green option to bricks, due to its enormous potentials in terms of insulation, fire-resistant, acoustic, and thermal resistant properties. AAC Blocks are superior material when compared with concrete, wood, brick, and stone. They can enhance the construction speed, reduce the costs, and minimise wastage at construction sites.

Technical Advantages of AAC blocks

The unique qualities of AAC blocks are mainly due to its properties. AAC blocks are something more than a brick alternative. AAC block posses a lot of qualities that make them stand out from other alternatives. The advantages in terms of technical properties are listed below.

AAC blocks sizes are customised and manufactured in various sizes. The most common dimensions available in the market is :
600/625 mm (length) x 230/240 mm(height) x 100 mm-300 mm (thick)

Dimension and appearance

The biggest advantages of AAC blocks are its Dimension and appearance.

AAC Blocks are factory manufactured and hence got a perfect size and finish with a dimension tolerance of +/- 5mm. They have sharp edges and corners, uniform colour, and pleasing appearance.

AAC block density is around (550-650)kg/cm3 which can be customised as per requirement.

AAC blocks pose a drying shrinkage of around 0.4 % which is considered very less when compared to conventional bricks.

Dimension optimisation is the main feature of AAC blocks. They can be customised to cater to any dimension requirements. AAC blocks are available in thickness ranging from 100 mm to 300 mm with a standard length of 600 mm/625 mm. The dimensions of AAC blocks also differ with the manufacturer.

Fire resistant advantages of AAC blocks

AAC blocks are non-combustible and got excellent fire-resistant properties. The melting point of the AAC blocks is around 1600 degrees Celsius which is much higher than the temperature of building fires, where it is around 500 degrees Celsius. AAC block can withstand fire up to 4-6 hours depending on the block thickness.

**ADVANTAGES OF AAC BLOCKS DURING FIRE**

Acoustic/Sound proof qualities

AAC Blocks possess low density and high porosity due to the presence of billions of voids. The voids make up 80% of the total volume. The AAC block got high sound absorption properties when compared with any other building materials like concrete and brick due to its high porosity.

The high acoustic properties make AAC blocks a preferred choice for cinema halls and auditoriums walls.

Insect and termite resistant

AAC Block uses inorganic materials like fly ash, cement, gypsum, etc as ingredients in its manufacturing process. AAC block possesses good insect and termite resistant qualities due to the presence of these inorganic materials.

Advantage of AAC blocks – Thermal insulation and energy savings

Fly ash is the main ingredient and constitutes more than 70% weight of AAC blocks ingredients. The micro pores constitutes around 80% of AAC blocks accounts for its excellent thermal insulation properties. The thermal insulation qualities help in maintaining inner temperature cool in summers and warm in winters. More cooler interior means less AC load which in turn can reduce energy consumption by 20% and can eliminate costly thermal insulation.

Advantage of AAC block-Impact of earthquake

AAC blocks are lightweight and reduces dead load/ mass on the structure. The impact of earthquake is directly proportional to the weight of structure. Because of its light weight properties, AAC blocks can reduce the impact of earthquake to an extend and hence preferred for earthquake zones.

Water and Moisture Resistant

AAC blocks constitutes millions of micro pores which prevent capillary transport of water and moisture over a long distance. The walls can resist moisture even with a lesser thickness compared to bricks. The water and moisture resistant qualities enable to use a less thick block as partitions.

Advantage of AAC block in terms of strength

AAC blocks are highly superior in terms of the strength. Higher level of strength of these blocks gives higher stability to the structure of the building.

Economical compared to any other alternative

AAC blocks are economical and stands out as the preferred option due to a lot of factors. This is the main advantage of AAC block over conventional red bricks.

Ease of cutting and chasing

Using recommended tools we can easily cut,drill and chase AAC blocks . The blocks will not break,crack or de-bond from its position while doing so.

Ensure fast construction

AAC blocks are lightweight, easy to fix and have a very accurate dimensional tolerance +/-5 mm and can be fixed, jointed and plumbed easily.

A single block of any thickness have an area of 24 inches x 8 inches

For completing a wall of 10 ft x 10ft

Surface area of block = 24 inch x 8 inch = 0.6 m x 0.2m = 0.12 sqm per block

Area of wall : 10 ft x 10 ft = 100 sq ft = 9.29 sqm

Quantity of block for an area of 9.29 sqm

9.29 sqm/0.12 sqm = 77.41 blocks for 100 sqft

Ordinary brick area is 9 inch x 3 inch = 0.23 m x .075 = .01725 sqm

Area of wall = 9.29 sqm area = 9.29/.1725 =

538 bricks (for 4 inch thick wall) and 1080 bricks for a 9 inch wall)

Higher the number of bricks greater the number of mortar joints.

AAC blocks are big in size and it can cover 13-14 bricks with a block. This can speed up the construction.

Advantage of AAC block in terms of Labour cost

AAC blocks are very fast and easy to place due to the less number of joints when compared with bricks.

AAC blocks doesn’t require any soaking before placing for masonry and no curing is required after carrying out the works. The block adhesive used is air cured . This can reduce substantial labour and infrastructure costs involved in curing and soaking of blocks.

AAC block uses ready mix block adhesive in place of mortar for bonding the blocks, wherein mortar making requires handling of aggregates, mixing and conveying to the location for use. The labour involved in this lengthy process can be saved in the case of AAC blocks. More over the area looks neat and clean as site mixed mortars tends to generate a lot of waste.

Bricks got 4 times more mortar joints than AAC blocks. The dimensional tolerance of bricks are very high around +/- 5 mm to 15 mm and more. It is difficult to plumb and place in position.

AAC block work can even be done with a semiskilled labour with a little bit of training mostly due to their dimensional accuracy.

AAC blocks are available in pallets and can be conveyed and lifted to any location with the help of cranes and tower cranes. This can save labour involvement in carrying of blocks.

Because of these factors the labour charges for placing AAC blocks are almost 50% less when compared with conventional bricks/ or any other walling material.

Advantages of AAC block – Savings in material cost

Saving in jointing mortar

The block adhesive joint thickness is around 3-4 mm and it is much cheaper than mortar which includes cement and sand and its mixing.

Saving in plastering material

There is a huge amount of savings in terms of plastering. AAC blockwork presents a fair face on both sides of wall whereas brick work generates a fair face and unfair face on the walls. For covering the unfair face of brickwork the thickness of mortar should be adjusted to a minimum of 18 mm or more. In case of AAC blocks due to its dimensional accuracy they can be covered even with 10 mm thick mortar on inside faces and 12 mm thick mortar for outside faces. AAC blocks comes in perfect shapes and can even be painted directly after applying POP or gypsum plaster in very thin coats.

Wastages

AAC block wastage is around 2% whereas brick wastage is around 10% to 15% which is relatively very high. This can generates substantial saving in terms of wastage and removal of debris.

Design optimisation

AAC blocks are light weight with very less density of around 600 kg/cm3. Structural designers can optimise their designs due to less dead loads similarly optimised design consume less steel and concrete.

Eco-friendly and green product

AAC is 100% Green building material & is a walling material of a choice in LEED certified buildings.
AAC is most energy & resource efficient in the sense that it uses least amount of energy in manufacturing and material per cum of product.
Brick manufacturing process uses fertile topsoil wherein AAC uses Fly-ash (65% of its weight) which is an industrial waste harming the environments.

AAC Blocks is a unique and excellent building material due to its superior heat, fire and sound resistance qualities. AAC blocks are lightweight and offers ultimate workability, flexibility and durability.

VIDEO : AAC BLOCKS VS RED CLAY BRICKS

green building, water conservation

Ways to conserve water – 15 innovative and easy techniques.

September 11, 2020 Vinod Gopinath 4 Comments

Ways to conserve water is a quite relevant topic in the digital era. World population is exploding and the need for water is skyrocketing. It is even said that the next world war will be for water. In the crunchy situation, you don’t need me to tell you why it’s relevant to save water. Out of the existing methods, some are very sophisticated while some needs improvisations. Through the post, we are going to explore existing techniques to conserve water by digging deep.

Make effective use of soil water reserves

**Method of water conservation in a field**

How many times did you have goosebumps looking at nature?

True. Be smart like nature. Soil and water conservation methods include planting deeper rooting crops, such as grasses or cereals that will leverage soil water reserves more effectively than shallower rooting crops such as vegetable crops and therefore can be grown in drier period.

Take measures to avoid run off

An important part of different ways to conserve water is avoiding spilling out. When it comes to water, the part played is runoff. This is equally important as the ways to conserve water resources. The various types of run-off management are those increase water intake and storage and so reduce runoff, control water movement over the soil surface, dispose safely of the excess rainfall as runoff or concentrate inadequate rainfall runoff. Remedial measures such as incorporating plantings especially in areas where runoff collects protecting trees that help absorb and filter runoff, choosing permeable materials for pathways etc. can potentially contribute to reducing runoff.

Cheap Ways to Conserve Water- Use Rainwater Effectively

Well, here you need to be very systematic. Check out the full article on ways to conserve water here: RAINWATER HARVESTING METHODS; EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Rational Use of Groundwater

We should always bear in mind that groundwater is a candy that should not be consumed uncontrollably. Because it takes time to recharge it back to its initial level. Only by conscientious exploitation of groundwater can it be proportionately conserved. For this to happen, ways to conserve water from ground water conservation methods such as crops requiring less water given priority over crops requiring more water need to be considered. Less water should be used by industries. The necessary drainage area should also be made available for recharging ground water.

Redistribution of Water– must use ways to conserve water

Two boys carrying water in a can which represents the significance of redistribution of water

Sharing is a great habit that benefits all who are involved in it. Whether it’s knowledge, love, physical goods, anything, right? That’s exactly what it takes to turn the cries of people around the world for water into a smile of gratification. Extensive re-wiring of the supply of water in water conservation system from areas with lower demand to areas with higher demand is needed.

How do you do that?

This can be accomplished through the development of water reservoirs and a network of canals. Excess rainwater that flows away from rivers without being used can be stored by the construction of water reservoirs from which it can be supplied for agriculture, industry, urban areas, etc. These reservoirs are also designed to protect against flooding and, apart from flood protection, they can also be used for a variety of purposes. Water distribution is also possible through the canal system. The canal system transfers water from excess rainwater to scarce rainwater areas and conserves water for various purposes.

Now we have seen 5 ways to conserve water. But we are yet to hit some more wonderful ways to save on water. Moving on…

Protection of Water from Pollution

A water body is seen polluted by industrial waste

Pollution is a taboo that has disturbed our ears since the day we can remember. Activities such as disposing of different wastes without treatment in rivers, pollution caused by tourism on lakes and sea coasts, bathing and other similar activities in the vicinity of drinking water sources and Weeds produced in water are the main causes of water pollution.

So how to reduce water pollution?

There is a need for a cooperative policy at international level for conservation of water bodies by regulating oil and nuclear waste in the oceans. Water should become reusable after physical, chemical, mechanical and organic processing processes, and lakes should not be used as outlets for the transport of products.

Traditional ways to conserve water

Water flow from a pipe made of bamboo below which is a plant, that represents a traditional water conservation method — **TRADITIONAL WATER CONSERVATION METHOD**

One of the fascinating practices in every culture is that they have developed innovative techniques for all necessary human needs. Water conservation is no exception to this. If so, then can you think about how would it be in India, the land of diversities.

Traditional ways to conserve water in India are,

Bamboo Drip Irrigation System

Bamboo is too expensive to use for a low cost building but is a boon for people of Meghalaya. Because, they have been leveraging it for ways to conserve water in India. This system of water conservation is a brilliant drip irrigation system. It uses bamboo of various sizes and reduces the output to 20-80 drops per minute, which is excellent for betel leaf and black pepper crops.

Johads

Johad is a crescent shaped small check dam built from earth and rock to intercept and conserve rainwater in Rajasthan. This helps to improve percolation and increases groundwater recharge.

Kul

Kuls are diversion channels that carry water from a glacier to village. Often spanning long distances, with some over 10 km long, kuls have been around for centuries. They are the lifeline of people of Spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh and in Jammu too.

Eri

One of the oldest water conservation systems in India of Tamil Nadu is still widely used around the State. With over a third of irrigation in the State being made possible due to Eri, the traditional water harvesting system plays an important part in the agriculture. They also have other advantages such as prevention of soil erosion, recharge of groundwater, and flood control.

Zabo

This method of conservation of water in India is a unique combination with animal care, forests and agriculture. Mostly practised in Nagaland, Zabo is used to deal with a lack of drinking water supply. During monsoon, rainwater that falls on the hilltops is collected into the pond like structures that are carved out on the hillsides. The water is then passed onto cattle yards below from where the water enters the paddy fields rich in manure.

See, such still in use water conservation model that tells the beautiful story of water use and conservation doesn’t have copyright and patent problems. It’s open to the whole world. So why can’t we be inspired by them and use suitable conservation method of water in our own lives?

Use of Modern ways to conserve water

On average, 80 percent of the fresh water withdrawn from rivers and groundwater is used to produce food and other agricultural products. Therefore, we need to pay attention to improved ways of irrigation such as sprinkler and drip irrigation that save 50 per cent water.

In the drip irrigation method, the hole pipes are spread over the surface of the soil so that the crop receives water directly. There is no loss due to evaporation and approximately 95% water is used. This process therefore uses maximum water.

Increasing Forest Cover

According to recent reports, forests cover 31 percent of the world’s land surface, just over 4 billion hectares which is down from the pre-industrial area of 5.9 billion hectare. This needs to be addressed since trees bear drought conditions for a long duration as compared to crops and they are helpful in reducing the demand for water along with recharging water sources.

Flood Management

Floods carry with it harmful contaminants such as soil, animal waste, salt, pesticides, and oil which can potentially impact drinking water wells and water quality. By construction of embankments and canals, a large part of the land can be conserved besides minimizing flood losses. Intensive afforestation can also provide security from floods which will be helpful in the absorption of water in the soil.

After such disasters, construction of green building aided by eco friendly materials are preferred. Because they are built with all necessary measures for water conservation.

Conserving Water in Industries

Water has to be re-used after processing. Recycling of water should be developed because normally industrial units dispose off water on the ground surface after using it only once. Because of not re-using it after processing, it also pollutes other water sources. Water demand can also be reduced by recycling used water in industries.

Reuse of Urban Waste

Demand for water has increased in cities due to increasing urbanization. There is no provision for waste water treatment in many cities of various countries of the world. After use of water in urban areas, disposed waste water can be treated and conserved for use in agriculture in the peripheral areas of cities. Such policies should be incorporated while planning urban development.

Population Control

The world’s population is growing by approximately 80 million people every year. Changes in lifestyles and eating habits in recent years require more per- capita water consumption. Biofuel production has also increased sharply in recent years, with a significant impact on the demand for water. It’s obvious that a controlled population can avoid a tug of war for water by reducing the demand as well as the qualitative deterioration of water.

Water conservation by Municipal bodies

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Global Risk report, around one third of the global population is currently water stressed, with about one billion people not getting safe drinking water. the water crisis is perceived as a top-order threat. In this nerve wracking situation, a governing body is indeed and they should exhort awareness on how to conserve water and capacity building among people.

Use of water from hot waterfalls

Figure shows a water fall that are used as a water source — **WATER FALL CAN BE USED AS A SOURCE**

Scientifically, there are hypotheses that negative ions that are present in waterfalls increase serotonin levels, which ultimately enhances our mood. Wah! That’s great. And this geothermal water serves as a source too in the battle against water scarcity.

So, ready to stand together with the world to avoid the next world war?

Tell us what you think about it in comments.

MUST READ: Vastu for home plan- all design tips backed by logic

CONCRETE

Reinforced cement concrete – Working and limit state method

September 7, 2020 Anaswara 17 Comments

Reinforced cement concrete is a topic you will need to familiarise at some point, if you are into civil engineering field, agree? Well, if you were surfing on the internet for some fresh knowledge and stumbled on to here, then also welcome! Let’s learn.

What is reinforced cement concrete?

Reinforced cement concrete (RCC), a composite material has been accepted worldwide as a construction material, bridges, retaining walls, docks and harbour, airfield pavements, flyovers,multi-storey building,complexes and simple houses etc.,

Okay. now what is the importance of RCC?

Concrete is good in resisting compression but is very weak in resisting tension. Hence reinforcement is provided in the concrete wherever tensile stress is expected. The best reinforcement is steel since the tensile strength of steel is quite high and the bond between steel and concrete is good. As the elastic modulus of steel is high, for the same extension the force resisted by steel is high compared to concrete.

However in tensile zone, hair cracks in concrete are unavoidable. Reinforcements are usually in the form of mild steel or ribbed steel bars of 6 mm to 32 mm diameter. A cage of reinforcements is prepared as per the design requirements, kept in a formwork and then green concrete is poured. After the concrete hardens, the formwork is removed. The composite material of steel and concrete now called R.C.C. acts as a structural member and can resist tensile as well as compressive stresses very well.

Moving onto more technicalities, let’s sneak into the properties of RCC.

Properties of reinforced cement concrete

The properties of a good RCC are,

It should be capable of resisting expected tensile, compressive, bending and shear forces.
It should not show excessive deflection and spoil serviceability requirement.
There should be proper cover to the reinforcement, so that the corrossion is prevented.
The hair cracks developed should be within the permissible limit.
It is a good fire resistant material.
When it is fresh, it can be moulded to any desired shape and size.
Durability is very good.
R.C.C. structure can be designed to take any load.

Ingredients of RCC

1. Cement

We have seen all the details of cement in previous blogs.

MUST READ:

Field Test For Cement- A Significant step towards quality

Properties of Cement- Everything you need to know

Manufacturing process of cement – Wet Process

2. Aggregates

These are the inert or chemically inactive materials which form the bulk of cement concrete. These aggregates are bound together by means of cement.

They can be classified into two. The selection of aggregate is based on the purpose and its maximum size.

a) Fine aggregates

The material which is passed through BIS test sieve no. 480 is called a fine aggregate. River sand is an example.

b) Course aggregates

The material which is retained on BIS test sieve no. 480 is termed as a coarse aggregate. Broken stone is and example.

3. Steel

Steel is used for reinforcement in the form of round bars of mild steel. Diameter of the steel bars used is between 6 mm to 40 mm.

4. Water

Nobody wants a description of what water is, right? Instead, let’s talk about why its significant. Water is an important ingredient because its amount determines the mixing of other ingredients in concrete.

5. Admixtures

Admixtures are ingredients other than above that are added in concrete to give it certain improved qualities or for changing different physical properties in its fresh and hardened stages. The addition of an admixture may improve the concrete with respect to its strength, hardness, workability, water-resisting power, etc.

Uses of reinforced cement concrete

It is a widely used building material. Some of its important uses are,

R.C.C. is used as a structural element, the common structural elements in a building where R.C.C. is used are

(a) footings (b) columns

(e)stairs

2. R.C.C. is used for the construction of storage structures like

(a) Water tanks (b) Dams

3. It is used for the construction of big structures like

(a) Bridges (b) Retaining walls

4. It is used for precasting

(a) Railway sleepers (b) Electric poles

5. R.C.C. is used for constructing tall structures like,

(a) Multistorey buildings (b) Chimneys

6. It is used for paving,

(a) Roads (b) Airports

7. R.C.C. is used in building atomic plants to prevent danger of radiation. For this purpose R.C.C. walls built are 1.5 m to 2.0 m thick.

Cool. You have known enough to design RCC. Whom are we waiting for?

Design of reinforced cement concrete

A structural member made by two or more different components constructing together is called as composite structure. A reinforced concrete structure belongs to this category.

Methods 1- Working stress method

In this method, behavior of the structure is assumed to act as linearly elastic body under the action of service loads.

Assumptions of working Stress Method

1. At any cross section,plane sections before bending remains plane after bending.

2. All tensile stresses are taken up by reinforcement and none by concrete,except otherwise specially permitted.

3. stress-strain relationship of steel and concrete under working load is a straight line.

4. The modular ratio m has the value 280/3 stress (cbc) is permissible compressive stress due to bending in concrete

Keeping the assumptions in mind, let me break down the procedure of working stress method below.

Steps of working stress method

a) The stresses in an element is obtained from the working loads and compared with permissible stresses.

b) The method follows linear stress-strain behaviour of both the materials.

c) Modular ratio can be used to determine allowable stresses,

d) Ultimate load carrying capacity cannot be predicted accurately.

e) The main drawback of this method is uneconomical.

The figure shows the grade of concrete and proportions of ingredients proposed by working stress method

Advantages of working stress method

Its a simple method
The design results give a large section. Therefore, deflection and cracking is less.
The structure designed using the method gives larger serviceability

Disadvantages of working stress method

This method doesn’t show the real strength of structue. And doesn’t give real factor of safety under failure of structure.
Because of creep, the stress- strain relationship of concrete doesn’t have definite modulous of elasticity

Method- 2 Limit state method

It is the method of designing structures based on statistical concept of safety and the associated statistical probability of failure.

The structures designed should satisfy the dual criteria which are safety and serviceability.

a). Safety

It can be defined as an acceptable degree of security against complete collapse. Or, the failure the concrete structure can occur by various modes such as compression, tension, flexure, torsion, shear.

b). Serviceability

The intended structure shouldn’t deteriorate to such an extend that if fails to fullfils the function for which its built. In concrete structure, the state can be reached due to excessive deflection, cracking, vibration, corrosion of reinforcement etc.

The steps in limit state of design

a) The stresses are obtained from design loads and compared with design strength.

b) In this method,it follows linear strain relationship but not linear stress relationship.

c) The ultimate stresses of materials itself are used as allowable stresses.

d) It shall also statisfy the serviceability requirements,such as limitations on deflection and cracking

Reinforced cement concrete books

The important books for clearing all your doubts regarding RCC are,

B.C. Punmia, R.C.C Designs, 2012
S. Pillai, Reinforced concrete designs, 1988
P.C. Varghese, Advanced reinforced concrete design, 2004
B.C. Punmia, Limit state design of reinforced concrete, 2007
S.S. Bhavikatti, Advance R.C.C. design, 2006
Murari Lal Gambhir, Design of reinforced concrete structures, 2008

You may note that other important authors are Unnikrishnan Pillai & Devdas Menon, V.L.Shah & S.R.Karve ( Local publication in Pune), P. Dayaratnam, R.Ramamutham and N. Krishnaraju.

Also you can refer NPTEL lectures and notes which are available in internet.

That’s it about RCC.

Continue reading! Because it makes life joyful.

MUST READ: Quality tests to be done on concrete – Slump Test

AAC blocks, Building materials

AAC blocks Manufacturing Process – A remarkable green initiative

September 6, 2020 Vinod Gopinath 11 Comments

AAC Blocks or Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Blocks are a lightweight, load-bearing, a durable, eco-sensitive, and economical alternative for conventional bricks. AAC Blocks can be customised to satisfy dimensional requirements. When compared to concrete,wood ,brick and stone AAC block possess excellent insulation, fire-resistant, and thermal resistant properties. AAC block can enhance construction speed and reduce costs.

AAC BLOCK LAYING — **AAC BLOCKS LAYING**

AAC Blocks Manufacturing

AAC block constitute 80% voids and hence it is lightweight and easy to handle. They are manufactured using easily available materials. The ingredients include sand, fly ash, lime, cement, gypsum, and aluminum powder. The manufacturing process is clean and does not emit any hazardous chemicals. Major raw materials used for AAC block manufacturing are industrial wastes like fly ash and gypsum. The manufacturing process is energy efficient eco-friendly certified green building materials.

Ingredients of AAC blocks

The main ingredients of AAC blocks are Fly ash, Sand, Cement, Lime, Gypsum, water, and aluminum powder. Aluminum powder is used as a foaming agent.

Cement used for AAC block manufacturing is OPC 43 or OPC 53 grade cement and is used as a binding material.

Fly ash is an industrial waste from power plants. The density ranges from 600kg/cm3 to 1400kg/cm3. The presence of fly ash is responsible for imparting insulation and fire-resistant properties of AAC blocks.

The lime is obtained by grinding limestone in the block manufacturing factory or outsourcing as lime powder.

Aluminum is used as a foaming agent and is responsible for the development of voids inside the blocks.

Gypsum is an industrial waste generated from fertiliser plants and is abundantly available.

AAC Blocks manufacturing process

The manufacturing process of AAC blocks is associated with a series of operations starting from, feeding of ingredients to the stacking of blocks. Every stage is associated with strict manufacturing quality guidelines for ensuring requisite strength and density. AAC block manufacturing processes are broadly classified as follows.

Raw material preparation
Dosing & mixing
Moulding, rising and pre-curing
De-moulding and Wire cutting
Autoclaving

Raw material Preparation

The basic ingredients required for AAC block manufacturing are fly ash or sand. Fly ash is abundantly available as industrial waste from power plants. Hence fly ash is used for manufacturing AAC blocks. It is mixed with water to form fly ash slurry which is stored in containers for the next stage of operation.

Dosing and mixing

The fly ash slurry is stored in a container which is connected to a mixing drum. All other ingredients like lime powder, gypsum, and cement are stored in different storage containers and are fed into the mixing drum using screw conveyors. Automatic feeding systems are attached to each storage container to ensure correct ingredient proportions. The proportioned ingredients are simultaneously fed to a mixing drum where it is mixed thoroughly. Aluminum dosing is done through a feeding attachment and is controlled according to the requirement. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and ready to be poured into the moulds.

Moulding, rising and Pre-curing

The casting of AAC blocks is done in moulds. The moulds are cleaned and coated with oil to avoid any sticking of the ingredients on the surfaces of the mould which in turn can hamper the surface finish of blocks. Already mixed slurry is poured into the oiled moulds.
Inside the moulds, the aluminum reacts with calcium hydroxide (lime) and water and produces a lot of unconnected hydrogen bubbles and expands the slurry. The expansion is almost twice that of the original volume. This process is called rising. These hydrogen bubble spaces are responsible for the lightweight characteristics of AAC blocks. The process of rising is followed by de-moulding and cutting the blocks.
The cutting of the blocks into the required sizes requires some strength for the cube. For that, the mould is allowed to settle and cure for a while just enough for the wire cutting process. The pre-curing time can be anywhere between 1-3 hours or more depending on weather conditions.
This can be done by indirect heating also. After the pre-curing process, the green cake is strong enough for a wire cut.

De-moulding and Wire cutting

The pre-cured moulds are carried to the cutting area. The moulds are removed and the green cake is wire cut as per the required sizes. The wire cutting process is done in two stages. The first stage is a vertical cut and the second stage is a horizontal cut. De-moulding and cutting give the dimensional perfection and finish of the AAC blocks. This process has to be done with utmost care or else rejection may happen.

Autoclaving of AAC blocks

The final process of manufacturing is autoclaving. The wire cut blocks are transported to an autoclaved chamber where is heated to the required temperature. This process gives the desired durability and structural stability to AAC blocks. The baking is done for about 8-12 hours at a temperature of around 180 degrees. The temperature and period of heating determine the grade of the materials. Curing in an autoclave reduces drying shrinkage.The autoclave curing process requires more energy and a more expensive kiln, but it can produce blocks in less time.

The blocks are stacked on pellets on completion of autoclaving process for transporting to the required destinations. All quality tests are conducted in the factory itself.

AUTOCLAVING MACHING — **AUTOCLAVING MACHINE**

AAC Block Manufacturing Process

AAC BLOCK MANUFACTURING PROCESS

AAC BLOCK ADVANTAGES OVER RED BRICKS

ADVANTAGES OF AAC BLOCKS

Aluminium, architectural finishes

Powder coating process – An amazing paint alternative

September 2, 2020 Vinod Gopinath 2 Comments

The powder coating process is a method of spraying electrostatically charged dry powder over the material surface. The powder coating process is also known as the electrostatic spray deposition process. The dry powder constitutes a combination of finely ground pigments and resins. Powder coating was introduced in the late 1980 s and is being extensively used in the industrial, commercial, and household applications. This process provides a smooth, durable, decorative, and a corrosion-resistant coating.

Difference between Powder coating process and Polyester Powder coating

A lot of confusion is prevailing between the terms, “Powder Coating” and “Polyester powder” coating. Powder coating is the method of application of electrostatically charged dry powder to the material to be coated. Powder coating can be applied on any surface. However, the powder coating ingredients differs with material types and the environment where it is used. The most popular powder coating types are Epoxy Powder Coating, Polyester Powder Coating, and Hybrid Powder Coatings.

Polyester powder coatings preferred in applications are classified into TGIC Polyester coating and Urethane polyester coating. For aluminium extrusions, TGIC Polyester coating is preferred due to there low temperature curing properties.

Also read : Aluminium Anodising Process -A remarkable Finish Coating

Powder coating process

Powder coating process is broadly classified into three important stages.

Surface preparation
Powder coating process
Curing process

Surface Preparation

The durability and serviceability of a coating depend on the quality of surface preparation. Surface preparation is essential to remove the dirt, grease, and other impurities from the material surface. The cleaning process includes various stages of cleaning, rinsing, etching, blasting, and drying, etc. The surface preparation stages are as follows.

Chemical cleaning
Conversion coating

Chemical cleaning

The chemical cleaning process uses mild alkalies(caustic soda), acids, and detergents for cleaning. The cleaning process is followed by rinsing with hot water, steam, detergent, etc. However, the type of acid/alkali cleaners depends on the material type to be coated. For example, aluminium is sensitive to acid attacks and requires mild alkaline cleaners. Rinsing with nitric acid done on anodised surfaces.
On completion of the cleaning process, the surface feels smooth and free from grease, oil, impurities, etc

b) Conversion coating

A conversion coating is applied on the surface to enable strong adhesion with powder coating. The chemical solutions for conversion coating are selected based on the type of material to be coated. For aluminium surfaces, the conversion coating is applied for a surface with strong adhesive nature and to arrest the progress of oxidation before powder coating.

For aluminium surfaces, conversion coating uses chromatic or phosphate solutions. In mild steel Zinc phosphate/ iron phosphate solutions are used. After completing the conversion coating, the coated material is cleaned in rinsing tanks. The final rinse is done using simonized water. The rinsing process removes chemical salts and other residues from the surface of the material that can trigger corrosion and can affect the coating adhesion properties.

On completion of the conversion coating, the material is dried in a drying oven to remove any possible moisture before application of the coating.

Powder coating process-Types

Once the drying process is over, the clean and dry material from the drying oven is shifted to a powder coating booth for powder coating. The powder coating application is commonly done in two methods based on the type of material and environment where it is used.

Electrostatic deposition
Fludized bed powder coating

Electrostatic deposition

In Electrostatic spray deposition or ESD method of powder coating, the finely ground powder is sprayed by a gun to the material. The entire system constitutes a spray booth, a powder feeder, an electrostatic spray gun, and a power unit.
For the ESD process of powder coating, a finely ground resin and pigment powder are charged inside a gun. The material to be coated is grounded/earthed to provide an opposite charge. The electrically charged particles from the gun are sprayed on to the earthed material. The powder on leaving the gun gets attracted to the earthed parts due to electrostatic attraction. In this process, areas that are not even in line with the gun also get attracted to the material to be coated. The powder will continue to stick on the surface as long as it is grounded/earthed. The thickness of the coatings depends on the type of environment the part will be used in. Any powder left after the coating is reclaimed and reused.

Powder coated materials — **POWDER COATED MATERIALS**

Fluidized bed powder coating process

In the Electrostatic deposition process, the powder coating material is electrostatically sprayed and adhered to the surface. But in the case of fluidized bed powder coating, preheated parts are dipped to the powder material within a fluidized bed. There is also an alternative option called electrostatic fluidized bed powder coating, which generates a cloud of electrically charged powder particles above the fluidized bed through which the part to be coated is passed.

Curing of coated materials

The coated materials are co to an oven, where the painting process gets completed by ‘curing’ the particles.
The oven heats the metal to about 200°C. The high temperature first fuses and melts the powder particles, allowing them to flow together to form a film and then cures the resin system in the film to form a smooth surface.
Other additives within the powder formulation make them anchored to the conversion coating, developing a cohesive structure.
After the curing oven, sections are transported to a cooling station, inspected, packed, and dispatched.

Advantages of powder coatings process over liquid coatings

The wet painting system was the most common and traditional coating method. In this method, water-based or solvent-based paint is sprayed or painted to the material surface. Many concerns or issues associated with liquid paints are eliminated or minimised with the powder coating process. The advantages of powder coating over wet paint are listed below.

Resistance to corrosion and chemicals

Powder coatings are more durable and more resistant to corrosion, chemicals, weather, etc than liquid coatings. Powder coating provides wear, scratch-free, and abrasion-resistant coatings in comparison with liquid paints. The application process of powder coating is thermal bonding which provides a uniform, smooth, and even coating. The colours always look fresh and bright and give a refreshing look than liquid paints.

Color choice

Powder coatings offer an unlimited range of colours, finishes, textures, which is not achievable through any type of conventional liquid coating method. Powder coating can match the colour scheme of any object/structure. The enormous choice of colours and textures ranging from matt, glossy, and textured to metallic finishes makes powder coating one of the most preferred coating choices. Powder coating can be used as a protective coating as well as decorative applications.

Durability of powder coating

Powder coatings are long-lasting and durable than any other liquid coatings. Powder coatings offer high resistance to impact, moisture, chemicals, wear, and abrasion compared to any other liquid coatings. They can also protect the materials against possible scratches occurring during the fabrication and fixing of the material and can be used in high traffic areas.

Environmental friendly

The liquid coatings emit VOC s (volatile organic compounds) due to the presence of solvents and cause serious environmental issues. Powder coating is free of any solvents and does not emit any VOCs and is thereby considered a green product. Moreover, the powder coating process does not create any hazardous waste that needs disposal. Any waste powder left after the coating is reclaimed and used. Powder coating is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to liquid coatings and thereby extensively used for green building-related projects.

Operational cost of powder coating

Powder coating is an economic option when compared with other organic finishes/ liquid painting methods. The powder coating application can be done with minimal training and supervision and thereby can reduce costs related to labour and operations. Powders left after the coating is recycled and reused. Fewer energy costs, reduced disposal costs, and low reject costs makes powder coating an economical option. Powder coating also has a longer life span when compared to other coatings and this can be another value addition in terms of money.

Safety

Liquid paints are flammable, carcinogenic, and full of volatile organic compounds and are harmful to the environment as well as the workers involved in the process, if not handled properly. Powder coating consists of solids and no solvents and hence is not harmful to persons handling it. Moreover, powder coatings possess good fire rating qualities in comparison with other liquid coatings.

Disadvantages of powder coating process

Thin coatings are difficult to produce

Powder coatings are 100% solid and because of this, even with a minimum amount of application, the initial thickness is formed. Moreover, it does not contain any volatile organic compounds. This makes it impossible to have thicknesses of less than 25 microns. Whereas in liquid paint, we have paint thinner and it is possible to have a lower percentage of solids, the film thickness can even be limited to 10 microns.

Failure of coating on exposed to atmosphere

On exposure to extreme atmospheric conditions like sunlight, heat, humidity, etc powder coating tends to fail, crack, and peel off. Hence not preferred for external applications involving exposure to extreme atmospheric conditions.

Color change after application

The production process and blending of powder coatings are carried out in a molten form. Hence it is not possible to change the color after production. Whereas in liquid paint we can change the color in all the stages, even when applying the paint, by adding stainers and pigments.

Size of coating material

The spray equipment and method of application of powder coatings confine the coating application to spray chambers only. Substrates must be charged and on completion of the coating. The materials have to be transferred to an oven where the curing process involving a temperature up to 200 degrees is done. Considering these conditions, it is not possible to coat and cure large substrates.

Oven curing

Powder coatings only dry and cure in temperatures above 180 degrees. Whereas liquid paints are varied and could dry up even in room temperature.

Control of material quantity and smoothness

Powder coating offers less control over the speed and amount of powder coating applied. The smoothness of the coating cannot be controlled as it is happening inside the oven.

Start up costs

The start up costs are high for powder coatings. Requires skilled workers for coating and operation of the plant.

After considering the limitations and advantages of powder coatings, and the selected product to be coated, you can evaluate whether coating metals with liquid paint or powder is more suitable.

Uses of powder coating process

Powder coating process is being used for a wide range of applications ranging from household , commercial, industrial ,automobile sectors.

Appliances

Powder coating is used for appliances like stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, water heaters, microwave ovens, and many other areas.

Automotive

Powder coating is used often in the automotive industry for engine parts and componets. It is also used by major auto brands as a clear top coat for increasing protection

Commercial Buildings and Offices

Powder coating is used for doors, windows, partions, roofing, cladding etc for residential buildings, commercial buiding etc.

Everywhere you look there are various building and highway projects which use powder coating as well – guardrails, light poles, fencing, posts, and signs are a few examples.

Normal Daily Products

Many daily products are being powder coated to increase the quality of finishes. These products include antennas, lighting fixtures, and electrical elements. Farm equipment and tractors use powder coating. Fitness industries use powder coating on golf cards, golf clubs, ski poles, bicycles, snowmobiles, and other different types of exercise equipment.

Powder coating is also used for supermarkets, stores, malls etc . Every where around us we can see a material using powder coating.

Video : Difference between Anodising and Powder coating

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALUMINIUM ANODISING AND POWDER COATING

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Advantages of AAC blocks

Also read : MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF AAC BLOCKS

Technical Advantages of AAC blocks

Dimension and appearance

Fire resistant advantages of AAC blocks

Acoustic/Sound proof qualities

Insect and termite resistant

Advantage of AAC blocks – Thermal insulation and energy savings

Advantage of AAC block-Impact of earthquake

Water and Moisture Resistant

Advantage of AAC block in terms of strength

Economical compared to any other alternative

Ease of cutting and chasing

Ensure fast construction

Advantage of AAC block in terms of Labour cost

Advantages of AAC block – Savings in material cost

Saving in jointing mortar

Saving in plastering material

Wastages

Design optimisation

Eco-friendly and green product

VIDEO : AAC BLOCKS VS RED CLAY BRICKS

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Make effective use of soil water reserves

Take measures to avoid run off

Cheap Ways to Conserve Water- Use Rainwater Effectively

Rational Use of Groundwater

Redistribution of Water– must use ways to conserve water

Protection of Water from Pollution

Traditional ways to conserve water

Traditional ways to conserve water in India are,

Bamboo Drip Irrigation System

Johads

Kul

Eri

Zabo

Use of Modern ways to conserve water

Increasing Forest Cover

Flood Management

Conserving Water in Industries

Reuse of Urban Waste

Population Control

Water conservation by Municipal bodies

Use of water from hot waterfalls

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What is reinforced cement concrete?

Properties of reinforced cement concrete

Ingredients of RCC

1. Cement

2. Aggregates

a) Fine aggregates

b) Course aggregates

3. Steel

4. Water

5. Admixtures

Uses of reinforced cement concrete

Design of reinforced cement concrete

Methods 1- Working stress method

Assumptions of working Stress Method

Steps of working stress method

Advantages of working stress method

Disadvantages of working stress method

Method- 2 Limit state method

a). Safety

b). Serviceability

The steps in limit state of design