Civil Engineering

Earthquakes present one of civil engineering’s most complex challenges. They typically strike without forewarning and impact every aspect of a civilization’s infrastructure. Are earthquake resistant construction techniques a viable option for low income population centers in earthquake zones? The World Population And Earthquake Facts Note: The techniques and materials discussed in this article are for general information only. Seismic building…

Projects involve many technical, commercial and financial matters. The addition of a lot of people to already complex issues is a ready pot for disputes to arise due to ambiguities and ego clashes. Dispute resolution strategies for construction project become a must for completion of projects. Why Do Disputes Arise In Construction Projects The construction…

For generating a comfortable and healthy living condition inside a building, proper ventilation is very necessary. This can be natural, mechanical, or a combination of both. Designing and implementing a ventilation system is the province of mechanical, design, and HVAC engineers. Effective Ventilation of Buildings – Introduction Ventilation of buildingsis the process of circulating fresh…

Ceramic spheres of microscopic sizes are a part of thermal insulation paint. These spheres are hollow and thus less conductive, leading to heat insulation. The paints are also lighter and have many other additional properties which give it an advantage over other paints. The Development of Thermal Insulation Paint Ceramic insulation coatings were originally developed…

Epoxies are initially in a liquid state that is changed by chemical reaction to a solid state. The basic components in epoxy are hardeners and resins. Due to their excellent properties, epoxy floors, epoxy primer, and epoxy glue are extremely popular. What is Epoxy? Epoxy is a thermosetting polymer that is produced from a reaction…

Construction in areas prone to flooding presents some very different considerations than in other developments. Availability of flood insurance and varied best construction practices are the main challenges in these locations. Location, Location, Location Lush vegetative growth, fertile soils, million dollar views, cheaper land, and all the fishing anyone could ask for. Just some of…

Devastating. The single word that describes the material, financial, and emotional damage caused by fires in structures. We rely on buildings to provide safety and protection, but how can buildings themselves be protected from the ravages of incineration? Reasonable Resistance While it is difficult and costly to construct a completely fireproof structure, it is reasonable…

Failure of construction is an important subject for an owner or a builder, since it involves human life and money. Structural failure may be prevented by incorporation of a proper design and use of quality materials. Workmanship is also an important factor to ensure a proper structural construction. Why Construction Fails Since humans first started…

All efforts are essential to prevent structural failure as it involves dangers to human life and property. There are numerous causes for a structural failure, and there is a requirement for a proper analysis of all the factors before construction. Reasons Structures Fail Defective construction that causes failure may be due to numerous reasons that…

Under SUDS requirements rainwater has to be held on site and discharged into the drainage system at a slow rate in order to prevent flooding downstream. The principle behind an attenuation tank is that rainwater from a site is collected in the tank and allowed to slowly discharge into the downstream drainage system at a…