Precast concrete

development improvement of concrete and the use of the architectural arch contributed greatly to the engineering and design achievements of the ancient Romans. The use of these two technologies allowed the Romans to build structures that were taller, stronger and more durable than any that had come before them (Yegul). The basic use of mortar was not invented or pioneered by the Romans, but while concrete is similar to mortar in its makeup, it is a different material. Roman concrete…

Geopolymer Concrete Mixtures: In the mix design of geopolymer concrete the role and the influence of aggregates are considered to be the same as in the case of Portland cement concrete. The mass of combined aggregates may be taken to be between 75% and 80% of the mass of geopolymer concrete. Coarse and fine aggregate together were taken as 77% of entire mixture by mass. Fine aggregate was taken 30% of total aggregate. Fly ash and alkaline liquids was taken 23% of density of concrete. From past…

1. At Marino Rocks there is a substantially difference between the rock types on the ‘beach’. Some of these are grain size, age, complexion very common rock types that can be found at Marino Rocks include: sandstone and siltstone. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized grains of mineral, hence why its called ‘SAND-stone’. It also contains a cementing material that binds the sand grains together. This is in contrast to siltstone, silt is a size term used for material that's…

to make sure you have a sturdy wall that does not compromise your asphalt. Retainer Walls on top of Asphalt vs. Concrete Surfaces Asphalt pavement is a common material used for parking areas and driveways in lieu of concrete. It is durable and easy to maintain with proper maintenance. One difference between an asphalt surface and concrete is the depth of the fill underneath. Concrete surfaces will often have a deeper, firmer base. There is also…

Construction of the Concrete Roof of the Assembly Hall The University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign Assembly Hall has been the home of the Illini men’s basketball team for over half a century and has been one of the greatest engineering and architectural feats on campus ever since its creation over half a century ago. Beginning on May 25, 1959, construction of the Assembly Hall was carried out by structural engineers Othmar Ammann and Charles Whitney, general contractor Felmley-Dickerson Co.,…

Trusses are composed of straight members connected at their ends by hinged connections to form a stable configuration. When loads are applied to a truss only at the joints, forces are transmitted only in the direction of each of its members. That is, the members experience tension or compression forces, but not bending forces. Trusses have a high strength to weight ratio and consequently are used in many structures, from bridges, to roof supports, to space stations.The Pros of a Truss Bridge 1.…

Notes and Abbreviations [B head] The General Notes and Abbreviations sheet, S1.1, contains a list of abbreviations used throughout the structural section. Most of these abbreviations are related to structural items. For instance, T.O.C means “top of concrete” and T.O.S. means “top of steel”. Other abbreviations…

If you want to realize the best return on your investment in asphalt pavement, it is essential that you keep it maintained. One of the most critical elements of an effective maintenance program is crack repair. Why Is Crack Repair So Vital? Asphalt pavement relies on a solid, stable foundation for strength and resiliency. If the foundation becomes eroded or destabilized, the pavement can begin to sag under its own weight. Every vehicle that passes over the weakened area causes additional damage…

FRACTURE MECHANICS Failure can occur due to various reasons: Uncertainties in loading or environment Defects in material Inadequacy in design Deficiency in construction or maintenance The strength of materials can be increased significantly. But sometimes this comes at the cost of reduced ductility of the material. For example, strength of steel can be increased by manipulating the microstructure. But this increases the brittleness of the material. Thus, a member can fail catastrophically…

There are 2 types of strengths that materials can be tested on: Comprehensive strength and Ultimate Tensile strength. Ultimate Tensile strength is measured by how much stress can a material withstand, while being stretched or pulled apart before breaking, while comprehensive strength is how much van the material resists while being pushed in (together). There is also a Yield Strength- the point at which the material starts to slowly break and cannot come back to it’s shape. Before the yield…