We Civil Engineers

What is Estimation?  Estimation is the process of predicting the total cost and quantity of materials, labour, and equipment required to complete a construction project before it begins. Why Estimation Matters Determines project feasibility and financial viability Enables accurate budgeting and resource allocation Forms the basis for tender documents and bidding Helps control project costs…

M20 is the most commonly used concrete grade in residential construction. This article shows you exactly how to calculate the quantity of cement bags, sand, and coarse aggregate needed — with a full worked example. What is M20 Concrete? M20 concrete has a mix ratio of 1:1.5:3 (Cement : Sand : Coarse Aggregate) and a characteristic compressive strength of 20 N/mm² at 28 days. It is widely used…

What is Coping? Coping is a protective covering placed on the top of walls such as parapet walls, boundary walls, wing walls, and return walls. Its primary function is to protect masonry from rainwater penetration, while also enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the structure. Functions of Coping Prevents water ingress into masonry joints Facilitates drainage of rainwater Protects wall…

Unsoundness of cement refers to the undesirable expansion of hardened cement paste after setting, which can lead to cracks, distortion, and reduced durability of structures. Ensuring cement soundness is critical for long-term structural stability and safety. What is Unsoundness of Cement? Unsoundness occurs when cement expands after it has hardened, mainly due to delayed hydration of certain…

HOW TO CALCULATE BRICKS, CEMENT, AND SAND QUANTITY IN 9" BRICK WALL

Quantity of Bricks:-

Assuming:-

•Brick size = 9”x4.5”x3”  •Thickness of wall = 9” •Thickness of mortar = 0.39” •Brick size with mortar= (9+0.39)x(4.5+0.39)x(3+0.39) = 9.39”x4.89”x3.39” •

             No. of bricks = Volume of Brickwork/ Volume of 1 Brick with mortar

Volume of 1 Brick = (9/12)x(4.5/12)x(3/12)= 0.75’x0.375’x0.25’ = 0.070 CFT

Volume of 1 Brick with mortar =…

4.5 inch wall BRICK CALCULATIONS

Assuming:-

Brick size = 9”x4.5”x3”

Thickness of mortar = 0.39”

Brick size with mortar= (9+0.39)x(4.5+0.39)x(3+0.39)

                                            =9.39”x4.89”x3.39”

Thickness of wall = 4.5”

  No. of bricks = Volume of brickwork/ Volume of 1 brick with mortar

Volume of 1 Brick = (9/12)x(4.5/12)x(3/12)=0.75’x0.375’x0.25’ = 0.070 CFT

Volume of 1 Brick with…

Difference between dowel bars and tie bars

Dowel bars

Dowel bars are placed at the transverse joints of concrete pavement and they take part in partial wheel load transfer from one slab to its adjacent slab. The dowel bars also allow axial thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete slab along the axis of the dowel.

Tie bars

Tie bars are deformed rebars or connectors used for holding faces of rigid slabs in contact to maintain…

Bulking of Sand Test

What is bulking of sand?

Bulking of sand means increase in it’s volume due to presence of surface moisture . The volume increases with increase in moisture content . The volume may increase up to 20 to 40% when moisture content is 5 to 10 %.

As fine grained sands have higher voids than medium and coarse grained sands, the percentage of moisture absorbed and the percentage volume increase is the…

River Sand vs Manufactured Sand

The natural river sand was the cheapest resources of sand. However the excessive mining of rive bed to meet the increasing demand for sand in construction industry has lead to the ecological imbalance in the state. Now the sand available in the riverbed is very coarse and contains very high percentage of silt and clay. The silt and the clay presence in the sand reduce the strength of the concrete…

Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) in Construction | Advantages & Disadvantages

M-sand is “crushed aggregates produced from hard granite stone which is cubically shaped with grounded edges, washed and graded with consistency to be used as a substitute of river sand”.

Advantages of M sand

Greater Durability M-Sand has balanced physical and chemical properties that can withstand any aggressive environmental and climatic conditions as it has enhanced durability, greater strength…

Silt Content Test of Sand (Fine Aggregates)

AIM

To find-out the silt content in sand (fine aggregates)

Apparatus Measuring cylinder

Measuring cylinder – 250ml

Sand  – Specimen

Water

Salt Solution

Procedure

The measuring cylinder should be free from moisture and dry.

Fill the water up to 50 ml with 1% salt solution.

Then add sand to it until the level reaches 100 ml. 

Again add salt solution up to the level of 150 ml.

Close the mouth of…

Why we can’t use sea sand in building construction?

We do not use use sea sand in construction due to following reasons

Sea sand  tends to very fine and rounded, Smooth rounded particles would offer less resistance to rearrangement than angular or elongated particles with rough surfaces.

In sea water, chloride is present which will cause corrosion of steel and iron which ultimately leads to reducing carrying capacity of steel and iron, so that the…

Can desert sand be used in construction ?

Answer is both Yes and No.

let’s see  we should not use desert sand in construction?

Desert sand grains are finer and smoother so their surface chemistry would not be able to offer sufficient number of multi-directional chemical linkages. If their grain size is too small, the slurry slip and the concrete would have poor strength. Desert sands possess an open structure, and there is little…

What is tie bar in civil engineering

Tie bars

Tie bars are deformed rebars or connectors used for holding faces of rigid slabs in contact to maintain aggregate interlock. Tie bars are not load transferring device. For instance, tie bars are used in longitudinal joints at mid depth of concrete pavement. Generally it is made of epoxy coated steel. 

Advantages of using Tie bars in pavement:-

It prevents the lanes from separation 

To…

What is a dowel bar? | Purpose & Advantages.

Dowel bars are placed at the transverse joints of concrete pavement and they take part in partial wheel load transfer from one slab to its adjacent slab. The dowel bars also allow axial thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete slab along the axis of the dowel.

Half of the length of this bar is embedded in one of the concrete slabs and the remaining portion is bonded in the other adjacent…

Diamond Drilling Tool: The Best Drilling And Cutting Solution Your Project Needs

This planet is blessed with the diamonds which is the hardest substance. This material is versatile and used in a variety of activities and not only restricted to jewellery, like concrete cutting activities on the construction sites.

While there are a lot of traditional methods that have been used to cut the concrete or another type of building structure, diamond drilling tools are considered…