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    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb
    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb
    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb
    Ebook872 pages7 hours

    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb

    By Ruwan Abey Rajapakse

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    About this ebook

    Construction Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb begins with a brief, but rigorous, introduction to the mathematics behind the equations that is followed by self-contained chapters concerning applications for all aspects of construction engineering. Design examples with step-by-step solutions, along with a generous amount of tables, schematics, and calculations are provided to facilitate more accurate solutions through all phases of a project, from planning, through construction and completion.

    • Includes easy-to-read and understand tables, schematics, and calculations
    • Presents examples with step-by-step calculations in both US and SI metric units
    • Provides users with an illustrated, easy-to-understand approach to equations and calculation methods
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherElsevier Science
    Release dateSep 2, 2016
    ISBN9780128094990
    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb
    Author

    Ruwan Abey Rajapakse

    Ruwan Rajapakse is presently a project manager for STV Incorporated, one of the most prominent design firms in New York City. He has extensive experience in design and construction of piles and other geotechnical engineering work. He is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in New York and New Jersey and a certified construction manager (CCM). He is currently an adjunct professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology conducting the graduate level geotechnical engineering course. He is the author of four books including Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rule of Thumb and Pile Design and Construction Rules of Thumb by Butterworth-Heinemann.

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    • 3/5
      Nice read to brush up your basic engineering skills. Wide range of topics discussed, for instance finance, traffic management and so on.

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    Construction Engineering Design Calculations and Rules of Thumb - Ruwan Abey Rajapakse

    rail

    Chapter 2

    Site Work

    Abstract

    In construction work, many things need to be done outside the main building or structure that is planned. Can you prepare a list of work items that needs to be done other than construction of the building? First, the developer needs to cut the tress and clean the top soil. This is not a complicated activity. However, there are many state and federal permits that have to be obtained prior to cutting trees.

    Keywords

    Site work; Cutting trees; Site clearing; Drainage; Sheet piles; Landscaping

    2.1 Permanent and Temporary Site Work

    In construction work, many things need to be done outside the main building or structure that is planned. Look at the photograph in Plate 2.1. It shows an undeveloped plot of land.

    Plate 2.1 Undeveloped land.

    Let us assume a developer is planning to build a shopping mall on this land as shown in Plate 2.2.

    Plate 2.2 Shopping mall.

    Can you prepare a list of work items that needs to be done other than construction of the building?

    First, the developer needs to cut the tress and clean the top soil. This is not a complicated activity. However, there are many state and federal permits that have to be obtained prior to cutting trees. Plate 2.2 also shows a small water logged area. This may be considered as a wetland. The developer needs to find out from relevant authorities whether he can fill that area.

    Site work can be divided into permanent site work and temporary site work. A sheet pile wall may be erected to hold back the soil during construction. This could be considered as temporary retaining wall. In addition, some retaining walls can be a permanent structure that is part of the design. A contractor may decide to have a quick and dirty drainage lines during construction. Later he may build the permanent drainage lines to the site. Some areas may be temporarily paved for delivery trucks to come and go.

    Some temporary site work:

    • site clearing or grubbing

    • demolition of abandoned structures

    • fill depressed areas

    • excavations

    • cut and fill

    • breaking rock

    • mass grading

    • fine grading

    • compaction of soil

    • removal of existing utilities

    • install temporary lighting, water or gas supply

    • provide temporary drainage to the site

    • provide temporary paving

    • temporary retaining walls, coffer dams, sheet pile walls

    • temporary sediment and erosion control structures (rip rap, silt fences)

    • soil stabilization (vibroflotation, dynamic compaction, soil surcharging)

    Some permanent site work:

    • retaining walls

    • roads

    • parking lots

    • construct permanent utilities (water supply, electricity, gas, cable, communication)

    • planting trees

    • ponds and canals

    • landscaping

    2.2 Site Clearing

    Site clearing is also known as grubbing. Site clearing involves cutting trees, removal of bushes, and the removal of top soil. Typically, backhoes, dozers, and tree cutting machines are used for site clearing (Plate 2.3).

    Plate 2.3 Cleared site.

    Some specialized equipment used for site clearing:

    • stump splitters

    • stump pullers

    • clearing rakes

    • grapples

    2.3 Demolition of Existing Structures and Utilities

    In many situations, old abandoned structures need to be demolished. Typically, demolition involves demolition of concrete, steel structures, fences, masonry structures, and roofs.

    2.4 Mass Grading

    Grading is the process of attaining the required ground elevation. Depressed areas have to be filled and high areas have to be cut. After site clearing and demolition is completed, mass grading is done. Mass grading is done using dozers, excavators, and loaders. Dozers are good to cut through soil. But not a good machine to transport soil. Dozers are efficient when transportation of soil is kept to a minimum. Loader can transport soil in the bucket. Other widely used equipment is the scraper. Scrapers have an underbelly to transport soil and are much more efficient in transporting soil than loaders. More details regarding these machines are provided under cut and fill chapter.

    2.5 Fine Grading

    The blade of a grader is not as robust as the blade of a dozer. Typically, blades of graders are at the center between wheels. On the other hand, a dozer blade is much more robust and located in front.

    2.6 Temporary Drainage

    Once the trees and grass is removed, water tends to make the site muddy. Working becomes highly inefficient in a muddy site. Hence, temporary drainage should be provided.

    Temporary drainage is provided thru backfilling, gravel beds, perforated pipes, and trenches. Typically, one has to locate low areas where ponding could occur. These areas can be backfilled to bring it up. In addition, gravel could be placed and a perforated pipe can be installed.

    2.7 Erosion and Sediment Control

    Many states require an erosion and sediment control plan be submitted prior to start of any construction work. Silt fences are used to stop soil eroding away. Near riverbeds, riprap is provided. Hay bales and geo-fabrics also can be used to stop erosion (Fig. 2.1).

    Fig. 2.1 Riprap (stones) used to stabilize slopes by placing them along the slope.

    Stone size in riprap changes depending upon the velocity of water. Larger stones are used on slopes near high velocity rivers and streams. Small stones can be used for low velocity streams.

    2.8 Surveying

    Horizontal control: Design documents would specify that the coordinates should be obtained using a monument nearby. Surveyors need to use the monuments provided and establish control points near the site. In many instances these control points get runover by machines and new control points need to be installed. It is important to make sure that the control points are protected. If not the building would be constructed at wrong coordinates.

    Fig. 2.2 shows a proposed building, monument, and two control points. The control points need to be closer to the site. However, when they are too close they get damaged due to construction activities.

    Fig. 2.2 Coordinates.

    Vertical control: Similar to horizontal control, design documents would indicate the elevation and the datum used. Surveyors need to establish temporary benchmarks near and around the site to be used for grading, establish footing and slab elevations, and elevations of utility pipes.

    Manhole construction: Manholes are required to clean out pipes. Manholes can be temporary or permanent.

    2.9 Sheet Piles

    It is very rare to see a construction site without sheet piles. Sheet piles can be used as retaining walls, excavation support, trenching, cofferdams, and temporary bearing platforms (Plate 2.4).

    Plate 2.4 Sheet pile walls.

    2.10 Soil Stabilization

    Some sites are not suitable to have shallow foundations. In such cases, piles need to be driven. Piles generally come with a heavy price tag. Instead, one can try to improve the soil bearing strength. This is known as soil stabilization. Many methods are used for soil stabilization. Vibroflotation, dynamic compaction, surcharging, Wick Drains, and pressure grouting are some processes used for soil stabilization.

    2.11 Site Work—Permanent Construction

    Any building needs roads and parking lots. Roads and parking lots are constructed by bringing the soil to the required grade and then providing a gravel base. This is known as a sub-base. After the gravel layer (sometimes crushed stone is also used), an asphalt base course is provided. On top of the asphalt base course, asphalt surface layer is provided. Surface course is designed to have better friction between tires and asphalt. Base course is designed to provide rigidity to the road.

    2.12 Permanent Drainage

    Drainage is provided through the installation of storm water pipes and manholes. Trenches need to be dug to install storm water pipes. Excavation support is provided with trench boxes or shoring.

    2.13 Construction of Utilities (Water Pipes, Sewer Pipes, Electrical Conduits)

    Any facility requires water, electricity, sanitary, cable, and communication lines. These utilities are part of site work.

    Other site work items include retaining walls, storm water detention systems, playgrounds, and landscaping.

    Storm water detention pond: During storms, all the storm water ends up in storm pipes. This could create overflow of manholes and flooding. Hence, large sites are required to maintain storm water detention ponds. During a storm, water is drained to the storm water detention pond. Later when the storm is over, detention pond would discharge to the storm water pipes.

    2.14 Landscaping

    Landscaping is the process of creating an aesthetic and natural environment around the facility. Generally, trees, flowers, water ponds, and plants are used to create a pleasant environment.

    Chapter 3

    Concrete Construction

    Abstract

    Concrete is a product made of cement, sand, stone, and water. Sand is known as fine aggregates and stone is known as coarse aggregates. Chemical compounds, known as admixtures, are also added to concrete to obtain special properties.

    Keywords

    Concrete; Admixtures; Cement; Pozzolans; Slag; Fly ash

    Concrete is a product made of cement, sand, stone, and water. Sand is known as fine aggregates and stone is known as coarse aggregates. Chemical compounds, known as admixtures, are also added to concrete to obtain special properties (Fig. 3.1).

    Fig. 3.1 Cement, sand, stones, and water (ingredients of concrete).

    3.1 Cement, Fine Aggregates, and Coarse Aggregates

    Cement water mixture acts as the binder between coarse and fine aggregates. In general, the higher the cement content, the higher the strength of the concrete. It has been found that high water content leads to less strength. Hence, to achieve high strength, one should minimize the water content. However, if the water content is reduced, the concrete may not be workable. Because, in many cases, concrete needs to be pumped, a certain amount of flowability is needed in the concrete. Chemical admixtures can be added to increase the workability without reducing the strength of the concrete for situations where high workability and strength need to be

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