On earth retaining structures such as retaining wall, sheet piles, etc, the back fill retained mass of soil, exerts lateral pressure known as earth pressure. If the positions of the back fill lies above a horizontal plane at the elevation of the top of the structure, it is called surcharge. The inclination of the surcharge … Read more
Engineering & Physical Properties of Stones The following are the engineering and physical properties of the stones that should be looked into before selecting them for engineering works: 1. Structure The structure of the stone may be stratified (layered) or unstratified. Structured stones should be easily dressed and suitable for super structure. Unstratified stones are … Read more
Slump Cone Test of Fresh Concrete Object This test is performed to measure consistency or workability of fresh concrete, where the nominal maximum size of aggregate does not exceed 38 mm using slump test apparatus. Reference Standards IS : 1199 – 1959 – Method of sampling and analysis of concrete. Equipment & Apparatus Slump cone (Height … Read more
Advantages of Concrete The following are the advantages of concrete Concrete ingredients are easily available. Concrete can be easily handles and moulded to any desired shape. Concrete can be easily transported from the place of mixing to place of casting before initial set takes place. Concrete can be pumped or sprayed to fill into cracks … Read more
Basic Components of Paints Paint is a very complex material consisting of many components. Modern paints can have ten to twenty components, each responsible to give a specific quality to the paint. However, basically all paints consist of the following five components. 1. Base Pigment White lead, red lead, aluminium powder, etc were the pigments … Read more
Principle for Supervision of Stone Masonry The following principles should be followed during construction of stone masonry: The stone used in masonry should be durable and strong. All stones should be well watered before laying to avoid absorption of moisture from mortar. All stones should be properly dressed. The stones should be laid on their … Read more
Sleepers The members which are laid transverse to the rails, to support the rails and to transfer the loads from rails to the ballast, are called sleepers. Functions of Sleepers The main functions of sleepers in a railway track are as under: These hold the rails to proper gauge in all situations i.e. exact gauge … Read more
What is Ballast? The granular material i.e. broken stones, shingles, gravels, etc., placed below and around the sleepers, to transmit wheel load from sleepers to formation and also to provide proper drainage, is called ballast. What Are the Functions Ballast in Railway Track bed? The primary reasons for using ballast are as follow: It provides … Read more
Gravity Dams – Advantages & Disadvantages The rigid dam which is constructed either with stone or brick masonry or mass concrete, is called a solid gravity dam. As solid gravity dams resist the overturning moments due to all external forces (such as water pressure, slit pressure etc) by its own weight only, these are known … Read more
FUNCTIONS AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS OF COMPONENTS OF EARTH DAM The main components of the earth dam are described below: Cut off Core Casing Internal drainage system and foundations Slope protection Surface drainage Impervious blanket 1. Cut off The cut off is required, To reduce loss of stored water through foundations and abutments To prevent sub-surface … Read more