TYPES OF WALLS

 TYPES OF WALLS

Walls as we all know have been the defining points of any and all kinds of structures. Walls represent the extent of any structure ( horizontally and vertically ). However, not all walls are the same. They differ based on need and use. 

So, let's look at the different types of walls:

• CAVITY WALL: As the name suggests, the wall consists of two leaves with space between them. These two leaves are joined with metal ties to make them function as one. As for the cavity, it is left free to impart insulation properties to the wall.
• CURTAIN WALL: This type of wall cannot bear the structure's load, so they are paired with vertical or horizontal members who act as load distributors. 
• LOAD BEARING WALL: This wall is designed to carry the load of the structure along with its self-weight.
• PANEL WALL: This type of wall is installed to withstand lateral loads and wind loads. Aside from that, they cannot bear the load of the structure.
• PARTITION WALL: This is an interior, non-load bearing wall which is usually one story or half story high. 
• SHEAR WALL AND CROSS WALL: This type of wall is designed to withstand only horizontal loads. The walls normal to shear walls are called Cross walls.

HOISTING EQUIPMENTS

 HOISTING EQUIPMENT AND THEIR TYPES

Hoisting refers to the operation of lifting a certain type of load. The equipment used for hoisting lift the load, keep it suspended during the transfer and place it on the required location.

TYPES OF HOISTING EQUIPMENT

• PULLEY: Pulley consists of the lifting of the load using either steel chain or rope. They are generally used for lifting heavy loads.
• CHAIN HOISTS: These can lift loads up to 50 tonnes. 
• WINCH: Winch consists of gears, clutches, and brakes, and they are used in lifting railway gates.
• CRANES: These are the most common lifting machinery, and they can lift weights up to 500 tonnes.

NEW AGE OF CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE BLOCKS

 CONCRETE BLOCKS

Construction, as we know has come a long way thanks to the technological advancements giving us an upper edge to reinvent many construction materials. These upgrades have provided better strength and rigidity to the materials prolonging their age. 

One such advancement is Hollow Concrete Blocks. These have been inspired by the idea of providing heat and electrical insulation in buildings. As the name suggests, their core element is concrete and they are hollowed out from the middle. 

These blocks are available in the following sizes:

• 39 X 19 X 30 cm ( standard size )
• 39 X 19 X 20 cm
• 39 X 19 X 10 cm 

Apart from imparting insulation, their smaller size and hollow middle allow more room space. Furthermore, the blocks are pre-cast, making their surface smooth and removing the need for plastering. 

In order to use these blocks in construction, the overall length and height of the wall are fixed accordingly so that a single block is used.

Hollow blocks are replacing the traditional use of bricks and stones, hence proving to be economic. 

PARAPET WALL

 

 Word of the Day#2 

Parapet Wall:

A parapet wall is built when the outermost walls of a structure extend higher than the roof level around the edges, usually by a few feet.

The parapet wall can be seen in almost all structures like buildings, bridges, and roadways. These walls can be built using a variety of materials such as reinforced cement concrete, glass and steel, etc.

COMPOSITION OF GLASS

WHAT IS GLASS MADE OF?

Glass as we know has been used in the construction business for a long time. Moreover, from the original use of glass as window panes and partitions, it is now being used as a mainstream construction material, thanks to technological advancements.

In this post, let's look at the composition of glass.

• Silica: Known as the major component of glass, silica content ( also known as silica dioxide ) makes up about 72% of the glass. Silica needs a very high temperature to fuse. To prevent that, it is mixed with sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate. 
• Potash: Potash increases the thermal expansion properties of glass, making it fire resistant. 
• Soda: Soda/Sodium oxide increases the fusion capability of glass hence, excess of it is harmful. 
• Lime: Lime imparts durability and toughness of glass.
• Lead oxide: Lead is responsible for the coloration of glass. However, in large quantities, it can increase the density of glass, giving it a yellow color, so it should be avoided. 
• Cullet: Cullet acts as a flux to prevent the loss of alkali by volatilization. 

TYPES OF LIME

 Lime and its types

Lime:- Lime is a versatile material that is commonly utilized in building construction. Lime is produced from the calcination of its ore which is limestone. Calcination is the process in which limestone is heated up to redness, causing the loss of carbon dioxide and moisture from it and resulting in the creation of lime. Lime which is produced from relatively pure limestone is called Quick lime. 

Types of Lime:- There are three types of lime used in construction i.e. 

1.  White/ pure/ fat/ rich lime:- This lime is made from moderately pure limestone having percentage purity 90-95% and clay concentration 5-10%. This is termed as Pure Lime. This lime possesses high plasticity and moderate setting time, hence is generally used in work where strength is not required.
2. Water/ hydraulic lime:- This lime is made from impure limestone having percentage purity 70-85% and clay concentration 15-30%. This form of lime does not show slaking and sets rapidly, hence is generally used for those works where strength is required.
3. Impure/ poor lime:- This lime is made from moderately impure limestone possessing high percentage of impurity and clay concentration greater than 30%. This form of lime does not slake, hardens slowly, therefore it is generally used for inferior construction like brick walls.

STEEL AND IT'S TYPES

STEEL AND IT'S TYPES

Steel is another most common used component in civil engineering projects. It is pure form of iron containing 1.5% carbon along with small percentages of Sulphur, silica, phosphorous and magnesia. 

TYPES OF STEEL

Steel is an intermediate stage between cast iron and wrought iron, meaning it has a difference of carbon content from other two types and this difference of carbon makes it convenient for us to categorize steel into different types. Classification depends on the percentage of carbon increasing or decreasing because it is the reason steel has it's characteristic strength. 

• VERY LOW CARBON STEEL/MILD STEEL: This type of steel has carbon in the range of 0.05% - 0.1% and is used in wires, nails, pipes, tubes, etc.
• MILD STEEL: Carbon percentage in this type ranges from 0.1% - 0.2% and is used on lightly stressed machine fittings, structural shapes, bars, rivets, etc.
• MEDIUM CARBON STEEL: This particular type has different ranges which collectively fall into this type i.e. 0.2% - 0.3%, 0.3% - 0.4%, 0.4% - 0.5% and 0.6% - 0.7%. Based on these ranges they are used in gears, axles, spring wires and rails respectively.
• HIGH CARBON STEEL: Steel in this particular type does has different ranges i.e. 0.7% - 0.8%, 0.8% - 0.9%, 0.9% - 1.0%, 1.0% - 1.1%, 1.1% - 1.2%, 1.2% - 1.3% and 1.3% - 1.4%. Based on these ranges, steel is used in clutch plates, hand tools, large turning tools, drills, slotting tools and stone cutting tools respectively.