The following tests are conducted for determining the qualities of a good building stone! (1) Acid test (2) Attrition test (3) Crushing test (4) Crystallisation test (5) Freezing and thawing test (6) Hardness test (7) Impact test (8) Microscopic test (9) Smith's test (10) Water absorption test. Each of these test will now be briefly described. 1. Acid Test: In [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Uses of Stones 2. Natural Bed of Stones 3. Dressing 4. Deterioration 5. Retardation 6. Preservation 7. Artificial Stones. Uses of Stones: The stones are used in the construction of buildings from the ancient times and most of the ancient temples and forts of our country were built with stones. The Taj [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Tools for Blasting 2. Materials for Blasting 3. Process of Blasting 4. Precautions. Tools for Blasting: Following tools are required in the process of blasting: (1) Dipper: This is shown in fig. 2-5 and it is used to drill a hole to the required depth. (2) Jumper: This is shown in fig. [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Definition of Quarrying 2. Sites for Stone Quarrying 3. Important Considerations 4. Methods. Definition of Quarrying: The process of taking out stones from natural rock beds is known as the quarrying. The term quarry is used to indicate the exposed surface of natural rocks. The stones, thus obtained, are used for various [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Manufacture of Common Tiles 2. Characteristics of a Good Tile 3. Types. Manufacture of Common Tiles: Following four distinct operations are involved in the general process of manufacturing the common tiles: (i) Preparation of clay (ii) Moulding (iii) Drying (iv) Burning. Each of the above operation will now be briefly treated. (i) [...]
List of commonly used ceramic products. Ceramic Product # 1. Clay Products: The clay occurs plenty in nature. The clay is a distinct product of chemical weathering of igneous rocks. The felspar is predominant in igneous rocks. One of the variety of felspar is orthoclase felspar. It is whitish, greyish or pinkish in colour. The rocks disintegrate easily, if orthoclase [...]
In this article we will discuss about:- 1. Meaning of Bricks 2. Composition of Good Brick Earth 3. Harmful Ingredients in Brick Earth 4. Classification of Brick Earth 5. Qualities of Good Bricks 6. Factors Affecting Quality of Bricks 7. Tests for Bricks 8. Classification of Bricks 9. Uses of Bricks 10. Colours of Bricks 11. Size and Weight of [...]
Following four materials are required for making R.C.C.: 1. Cement 2. Aggregates 3. Steel 4. Water. 1. Cement: Before the introduction of ordinary Portland cement, the lime was used as a cementing material. Most of the cement concrete work in building construction is done with ordinary Portland cement at present. But other special varieties of cement such as rapid hardening [...]
The cement concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, pebbles or crushed rock and water, which, when placed in the skeleton of forms and allowed to cure, becomes hard like a stone. The cement concrete has attained the status of a major building material in all branches of modern construction because of the following reasons: (i) It can be readily [...]
Following are the five different types or Classification of cement concrete: 1. Water-Proofing Cement Concrete 2. Coloured Concrete 3. Light-Weight Concrete 4. No-Fines Concrete 5. Pre-Cast Concrete 6. Ready-Mix Concrete 7. Transit-Mix Concrete. Type # 1. Water-Proofing Cement Concrete: For certain types of works like water storage tanks, reservoirs, basement walls, roofs, swimming pools, sewage units, etc., the impermeability of [...]