Thursday, 15 January 2015

SOMETHING TO KNOW ABOUT AN ENGINEERING



DID YOU KNOW THAT...

    The snowboard was invented by an engineer? 
    With some engineering twists and turns along the way, the snowboard has become a marvel of geometry, chemistry, and biomechanics. Since the snowboard allows deft turns, ski manufacturers have quickly adopted some of the snowboard innovations, enabling skiers to turn with less effort.
    Engineers design running shoes for protection, performance, and comfort? 
    Engineers understand how much force travels from the ground through the shoe to the foot. Through the work of engineering, weight is distributed throughout the whole foot -- heel to toe.
    A civil engineer created the slippery part of the water slide? 
    A civil engineer designed a pumping system to circulate just the right amount of water to the flume. Without the right flow of water, there is no ride. Additionally, civil engineers have designed the slide to withstand the weight of people, the water, and even the force of the wind blowing on it.
    The launch and return of spacecraft, from the Apollo to the Shuttle, is a monumental engineering triumph? 
    The space program has greatly expanded the world's knowledge base. The technological advancement by engineers in energy, communications, materials, structures, and computers, have made space travel possible.
    The Ferris Wheel is considered one of the greatest engineering wonders in the world? 
    The first Ferris Wheel was created by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania engineer, George W. Ferris, in 1893. The wheel is supported by two 140-foot steel towers and connected by a 45-foot axle -- the largest single piece of forged steel ever made at that time.
    Engineers make interactive television possible? 
    Engineers are involved in all aspects of interactive TV technology, from designing new cables, to creating new film emulsions, to engineering better sound quality. This technology allows viewers to select any program, film, or game from more than 500 channels.
    Engineers play an instrumental role in the theme park industry? Theme park engineers are involved in designing, building, lighting, and even controlling the crowd flow in theme parks around the world.
    Companies and universities are using engineers to form the Virtual Reality and Simulation Initiative? This technology applies computer simulation and visualization to 3-D modeling projects, such as virtual offices.
    Bioengineers are creating a new and exciting medical technology?  This technology will utilize virtual reality to help surgeons reconstruct facial birth defects.
    Computer engineers, in conjunction with animators, have created special effects in movies such as "Jurassic Park," "Forrest Gump," and "Interview with the Vampire"?  Through "morphing" technology, images are digitally mastered to appear realistic.

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Emerging Trends and Innovations in Concrete

New advancements in concrete and cement-based products are completely changing the design and construction worlds.

Decorative Concrete

White cement is the key ingredient in decorative concrete. New coloring agents and admixtures help create beautiful structures and landscapes. Imagine the possibilities!  Click here for more on decorative concrete.

Formwork

emerging_tunnelformWith the explosive growth in high-rise residential construction, the Load-Bearing Wall (LBW) system is gaining recognition. The walls and slab are poured simultaneously when using the innovative tunnelform construction method. Since the forms are stripped in 24 hours, the daily cycle meets the demand of fast-track construction for repetitive cell layouts, synonymous with many hotel and condominium projects.

Load-Bearing Walls

  • The Tilt-Up industry is reaching new heights with the record lift nearing 100 feet. Production is streamlined with embedded facers cast integrally with wall panel to greatly reduce labor requirements with conventional brick and mortar veneer.

  • Lightweight Masonry takes the form of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete block (AAC). With sufficient structural capacity to be used as low-rise bearing walls, AAC block greatly reduces masonry partition wall weights for elevated slab construction. Masonry construction is also making a new visual statement with the use of colored grouts. The pigmentation of white cement is helping architects provide a new unity or contrast look to the typical brick and mortar façade.

  • emerging_mortar

    New Technologies

    Many new technologies are changing the way we build and what we build with concrete. light-transmitting-luccon
    • Adding optical fibers to a concrete mix generates translucent concrete. This “see-through” development is changing the perception of concrete’s opaque mass.
    • Reactive powder concrete is extremely workable, durable and yields ultra-high strengths without using coarse aggregates. Reaching compressive strengths of 30,000 pounds per square inch (psi), this new-age concrete also has tensile strength with the inclusion of steel and synthetic fibers. More.
  • Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC) eliminates the need for mechanical consolidation and yields a smooth surface finish without mix segregation. More.

    Precast Industry

    SCC and computerized precision color are revolutionizing the precast industry.
  • Ultralite panels are being manufactured with Carbon Cast, a grid of carbon fiber reinforcing. The resulting weight reduction generates savings in shipping, erection, and substructure costs.
  • The new P.O.S.T. (Prestressed Open Space Truss) provides a solution for long-spans, while maintaining the shallow floor depth of a flat plate system. This system works well for hotel and condominium applications, especially with coveted parking spaces in the lower levels.
  • Hybrid construction marries the benefits of PC and CIP for a desired result, such as seismic performance, cost savings, or schedule implications.

  • Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls are gaining popularity in the residential nad commercial markets. In addition to rapid construction, energy savings and increased durability, owners also gain a healthier and quieter environment. Most recently, blast-test experiments showed exceptional results for resistance to catastrophic loadings, including fire, wind, and tornados.

  • Reinforcement

    Post-Tensioning has new construction and retrofit applications. An intumescent material creates fire-resistant PT strands for bridge deck and parking garages. The “Spider” method retrofits buildings for earthquake protection, while External Post-Tensioning (EPT) helps solve strength and serviceability problems.
    emerging_rebarFabrication and corrosion are the crux of most rebar issues. “Reinforcement Carpet” gives a unique solution to reduce shipping and erection costs. With little waste, this innovative tool may greatly change the speed and precision of concrete mat construction. Galvanized and stainless clad rebar offer less expensive, but corrosion-resistant alternatives to stainless steel rebar. The latest technology of MMFX microcomposite steel gives a high-strength, corrosion-resistant product with a cost-effective price.

    Further Reading

    carboncast
    The first-ever national partnership of precast companies, AltusGroup, was founded to develop, manufacture and market precast innovations such as the breakthrough CarbonCast™. With more than 25 structural and architectural locations in the United States, AltusGroup companies have an unparalleled national network of manufacturing plants, technical staff and sales personnel to ensure architects, engineers and contractors that they will receive the help they need — and the quality and performance they expect.

    LIST OF CIVIL ENGINEERING JOURNAL


    INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CIVIL

    • As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height. Check out more building facts or our list of the tallest buildings in the world.
    • The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact. Enjoy more pyramid facts or learn about the Ancient Egyptian pyramids.
    • The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides.
    • Golf balls have dimples because they help reduce drag, this allows the ball to fly further than a smooth ball would.
    • As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet). Check out more interesing bridge facts or our list of the longest bridges in the world.
    • Used for water distribution, the Delaware Aqueduct in New York, USA is the longest tunnel in the world (as of 2010). Drilled through solid rock, it reaches a staggering 137 kilometres (85 miles) in length. More tunnel facts.
    • The Hoover Dam, built along the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 reaches 726 feet in height (221 metres). More interesting dam facts.
    • High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph).
    • The Titanic was 882 feet (269 metres) long.
    • The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at a height of 135 metres (442 feet).
    • The tallest wind turbine in the world has rotor tips that reach over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground.

    HISTORY BEHIND CIVIL

    • In the beginning, Civil Engineering included all engineers that did not practice military engineering; said to have begun in 18th century France.
    • First “Civil Engineer” was an Englishman, John Smeaton in 1761.
    • Civil engineers have saved more lives than all the doctors in history — development of clean water and sanitation systems.
    • Henry H. White, first KY Civil Engineering Graduate from Bacon (Georgetown) College in 1840.
    • Fall of 1886, “State College” (UK) established civil engineering degree.
    • John Wesley Gunn of Lexington received first Civil Engineering degree from A & M College (UK) in 1890                                                                                                               http://www.engineeringcivil.com/history

    TODAYS THOUGHT