Storing of Cement on Site – Guidelines Store cement in a building which is dry, leak proof and as moisture proof as possible. There should be minimum number of windows in the storage building. Stack the cement bags off the floor on wooden planks in such a way, so that it is about 150 mm … Read more
What is Mortar? It is a plastic mixture of binding material (like cement, lime, etc), fine aggregates (like sand, surkhi, etc), water and any admixture approved by the engineer in-charge. This is used to bond masonry or structural units. There are different types of mortar used in construction industry. The following are the type of … Read more
Atterberg Limits of Soil The term Atterberg limits is named as per the Swedish agriculturist Albert Atterberg. When water is added into a soil mass, it changes its state from solid to liquid. He divided the entire range from solid to liquid into four stages: The solid state The semi-solid state The plastic state The … Read more
Footings can be of the following types. Spread or isolated or pad footing Strap footing Combined footing Strip or continuous footing Mat or raft footing What is Spread Footing or Isolated or Pad Footing? It is circular, square or rectangular slab of uniform thickness. Sometimes, it is stepped to spread the load over a larger … Read more
What is Presumptive Bearing Capacity? Building codes of various organizations in different countries gives the allowable bearing capacity that can be used for proportioning footing. These are called presumptive bearing capacity values. These values are based on experience with other structures already built. What are The Values of Presumptive Bearing Capacity? The table given below … Read more
What is Efflorescence on Plaster Surface? Efflorescence is one type of defect found on plaster surface. Efflorescence is the whitish crystalline substance which appears on the surface of walls due to presence of soluble salts, such as suphates of sodium, calcium and magnesium. Why Efflorescence Happens on Plaster Surface? Presence of salts in the lime, … Read more
He too serves a certain purpose who only stands and cheers. Henery Adams A shady business never yields a sunny life. B.C. Forbes The belly is the commanding part of the body. Homer One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea. Walter Bagehot Leave nothing for tomorrow which … Read more
Recommended Plaster Specifications A list of specifications for mixes suitable for various situations, which cover single-coat, two-coat and three-coat work is given in the table below. No. of Coat of Plaster Situation Mix proportion by volume (Cement:Lime:Sand) Single coat plaster Both internal and external 1:0:3 1:0:4 1:0:6 1:1:6 1:2:9 Two coat plaster Both internal and … Read more
Effect of Atmospheric Conditions on Plaster The prevailing weather at the time of plastering or during the setting, drying and hardening period may affect the finished work as follows: 1. Frost The destructive effect of frost on plaster work is significant. Unless special precautions are adopted, plastering work shall be suspended entirely during frosty weather. … Read more
Thickness of Plastering Finishing coats (and single-coat work, where employed) should be of such minimum thickness as just to provide a sufficient body of material to harden satisfactorily under the site conditions in any particular case. The total thickness of two-coat work exclusive of keys or dubbing out shall be generally about, but shall not … Read more