Suryakanta 
Moisture content – Dry Density Relationship At a given input of compaction energy there exists a relationship between moisture content or water content and dry density, which is of the form shown in Fig-1. On the dry side, the added water creates a coating of a thin film of water on the surface of the … Read more
Piled Raft Foundation Between the geotechnical design parameters of bearing capacity and settlement, which are independent, if the design just satisfies bearing capacity, settlement will be over satisfied (i.e. settlement less than permissible), and vice versa, if the design satisfies settlement, bearing capacity will be over satisfied (i.e. factor of safety against bearing capacity failure … Read more
Dynamic Compaction of Soil The method can be used to improve all types of non-cohesive soils, mixed soil or those with limited amounts of cohesive material, as well as landfill sites such as waste dumps or spoil tips. There are also many instances of refuse and industrial waste dumps which have been successfully treated by … Read more
Leaning Tower of Pisa The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is perhaps the most famous tower structure in the world, thanks to its lean (nearly 5.50 out of plumb – Fig-1) which makes it a great international tourist attraction. When the lean started becoming progressive and excessive, threatening its very survival, a geotechnical engineering … Read more
What is Drilling Mud? Drilling mud is thin slurry of clay in water. Special clay called bentonite, characterized by its ‘thixotropic (gelling) property’, is used for this purpose. How such a humble material has all but revolutionized the practice of modern geotechnical engineering is little known to professional geotechnical engineers themselves, not to speak of … Read more
In-situ Tests on Soil In situ testing is a division of field testing corresponding to the cases where the ground is tested in-place by instruments that are inserted in or penetrate the ground. In-situ tests are normally associated with tests for which a borehole either is unnecessary or is only an incidental part of the … Read more
The main objective of thermal insulation of heat insulation of a building is to conserve a constant heat or temperature inside building, irrespective of temperature changes outside. Methods of Heat Insulation or Thermal Insulation The heat in a building structure is mainly transmitted through the roofs, exposed walls and exposed wall openings, such as windows, … Read more
What is Shuttering or Formwork? As fresh concrete is in a plastic state, when it is placed for construction purposes, so it becomes necessary to provide some temporary structure to confine and support the concrete, till it gains sufficient strength for self supporting. This temporary structure is called formwork or shuttering. Requirements of Formwork or … Read more
White Washing of Wall Surface The complete process of white washing can be carried out under the following operations. Preparation of white wash Preparation of surface Application of white wash Step-1 [Preparation of White Wash] The white wash is prepared from fresh burnt shell lime or pure stone lime mixed with water. Shell lime is … Read more
Improving Earthquake Resistance of Small Buildings The earthquake resistance of small buildings may be increased by taking some precautions and measures in site selections, building planning and constructions as explained below: 1. Site Selection The building constructions should be avoided on (a) Near unstable embankments (b) On sloping ground with columns of different heights (c) … Read more