Introduction Tsunamis are one of the most devastating natural disasters, capable of wiping out entire coastal cities within minutes. With waves reaching heights of 30 meters (100 feet) or more, the destruction can be catastrophic. However, engineers around the world have developed cutting-edge strategies to protect cities and minimize damage. From seawalls to early warning…
Construction of highways and railways is challenging around mountains and steep slopes. Each require special study by geologists and geotechnical engineers. Through geotechnical analysis, slopes are identified that are critical and require special protection. The “Rockfall Hazard Rating System” for the Federal Highway Administration was introduced by the Oregon State Highway Division. It is used to…
Protection Of Masonry During Construction It is necessary to protect masonry during construction when the mortar is green or when masonry has not been laterally supported, against damage due to rain, frost, storm, etc. It is also necessary to protect some vulnerable parts of masonry such as jambs, corners and sills and expose masonry, during…
In RC buildings, portions of columns that are common to beams at their intersections are called beam-column joints (Figure 1). Since their constituent materials have limited strengths, the joints have limited force carrying capacity. When forces larger than these are applied during earthquakes, joints are severely damaged. Repairing damaged joints is difficult, and so damage…
Earth Excavation Checklist excavation checklist The following checklist should be used as a guide for better quality control over earth excavation. (1) Prior to the start of excavation operations, take photographs of the construction area, make sure that sufficient cross—sections are taken, and continue to take progress photographs during construction. (2) Review the log of…
Scaffolds and ladders 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 1. Where work cannot safely be done on or from the ground or from part of a building or other permanent structure, a safe and suitable scaffold should be provided and maintained or other equally safe and suitable provision should be made. 2. Scaffolds should be provided with safe means of access,…
Crane accidents can be caused by mechanical failures or human failures in the operations of the cranes. Even the mechanical failures can be a result of improper supervision or maintenance and all point to lack of training and required attention to crane operations by field managers. The Need for Cranes and the Risks Involved Cranes…
Disaster is a natural calamity which may be in the form of • Drought • Flood • Cyclone • Forest fire • Landslide • Earthquake • Volcanic eruption etc. DISASTER PREVENTION STRATEGY Construction of dams can prevent flood havoc. Identify the rivers and construct dams to regulate flow of water during heavy rainfalls. Spreading the…
It is reported that in USA fire kills more people each year than all other natural disasters combined including floors, cyclones and earthquake. The fire load in a building should be kept to the minimum possible. The term fire load indicates the amount of heat liberated in kilo joules per square metre (kJ/m2) of floor…
A cyclone is a storm accompanied by high speed whistling and howling winds. It brings torrential rains. A cyclone storm develops over Tropical Ocean and blows at speed as high as 200–240 km/hour. It is usually accompanied by lightning, thunder and continuous downpour of rain. Cyclones extend from 150 km to 1200 km in lateral…