Author: Mezie Ethelbert

Reading Time: < 1 minute Several countries in the world have specialized design codes but there are four codes that easily find their way in design textbooks used in Nigerian schools and design offices. This post is set to provide four of these codes starting with the most widely used which is the Eurocode and their likely equivalent in other standards. It is important for one to know the code peculiar to what one wants to do. Where:             EC = Eurocode BS = British Standards ACI = American Concrete Institute ASCE = American Society of Civil Engineers ANSI = American National Standards Institute AISC =…

Reading Time: 3 minutes Tiles are construction materials that are used to give smooth surface and finish to floors and walls. This is modern technology that have been found very desirable. The surfaces of tiles are usually very hard and abrasion-resistant, often glossy in nature and enables quick removal of dirt. Tiles provide a cool surface and oftentimes helps to prevent dampness in buildings due to its water resistant properties. Laying of Tiles The laying of tiles is one process that requires carefulness. Tiles are embedded to floors and walls using thick mass of mortar made from very fine sand in order to give…

Reading Time: 3 minutes It has puzzled many road users on why there should be curves in highways when it is possible to construct the road possibly as the crow flies. This content is set to clear this puzzle. Three prime considerations that guide engineering design decisions are: SafetyEconomySustainability Bringing it down to highway construction, by safety, it is expected that the road would be safe for road users. By economy, it is expected that road construction and subsequent maintenance does not gulp such money that it becomes difficult to build other roads. By sustainability, it is expected that the construction processes and materials…

Reading Time: 3 minutes Introduction Pavement is a special treatment given to natural soil to make it more stable and pliable. Among the four common means of transportation which are land, air, water, and rail, the road which is the key component of land transportation seems to be one of the most important because it leads us to our final destination. From ancient days, there have been many ways of treating roads with the use of various stable materials such as stones. In the present time treatment of roads has developed to the use of modern materials such as laterite, sand, tar, bitumen, chippings,…

Reading Time: 5 minutes Introduction One of the advantages of using spiral stairs in structures is to maximize space. Besides these, they also provide good aesthetic looks. The functional design of spiral staircases involves the determination of the type, shape, material, structure, location, and correct layout of staircases. Based on materials, spiral staircases can be made of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete. Based on structural configuration, spiral stairs can be categorized as: 1. Circular, 2. Square, and 3. Helical The circular configuration (Figure 1) is usually the most popular as it occupies less area when compared to other configurations and also ensures savings on…

Reading Time: 6 minutes Introduction Construction work involves a lot of measurements. The materials used in construction are sold in the market based on unit quantities and these unit quantities have unit prices. Accurate estimation of construction cost involves accurate measurement of construction quantities. In this article, I will show how to accurately estimate the unit quantity of five common construction materials. With these unit quantities, one can get the total quantity required, append unit price, and get the total overall project sum. This article would be of assistance to beginners in quantity surveying and civil engineering as well as practicing engineers. It is…

Reading Time: 5 minutes Workers at construction sites engage in a variety of activities that could put them in danger, such as working from rooftops or scaffolding, using heavy construction equipment, or using temporary electrical circuits while operating electrical equipment and machinery in damp environments. In short, construction sites are dynamic environments where workers engage in many activities that could put them in danger. Thus, knowledge of construction site safety rules and tips is very important for every construction worker. It was Jason Burzynski who made a famous quote, ‘No safety know injury. Know safety, no injury. According to Okonkwo (2012), safety in engineering…

Reading Time: 5 minutes Potential Civil Engineers in undergraduate studies or even Civil Engineering graduates in some developing nations are often faced with a shallow understanding of the role of Civil Engineers in a nation’s workforce. God so fashioned man with talents that there would be no vacuum. Some people say they can never be in Army or Police force but there are people yearning to go there. If there is no Army or Police in a nation, we may all be slaves to some group. The same is applicable in every industry on earth. Also Visit: Careers in Architecture, Engineering and Construction Civil…