How to design the RCC columns inexpensively

This construction article is extracted from https://theconstructor.org. The articles sheds light on how to minimize the cost by creating the design of reinforcement column as well as its construction practices and recommendations inexpensively.

Columns are considered as the most vital components in reinforced concrete structures and they ensure the security and constancy of the structure significantly.

Because of various factors, the cost of a column for each linear meter per MPa of load bearing strength fluctuates considerably. As for instance, the position of the column in the structure (outside column and inside column) and the configuration of the loads enforced on the column and others.

Given below, some other types of recommendations and measure which can reduce the cost of designing and development of reinforced concrete column significantly.

Recommendations for inexpensive design of Reinforced Concrete Columns

1. Potency of concrete used for reinforced concrete column
2. Formwork employed for casting reinforced concrete column
3. Steel reinforcements applied in the reinforced concrete column construction

4. Details of reinforcement of concrete column

Strength of Concrete for Reinforced Concrete Column

An important recommendation given for concrete strength is the utilization of utmost concrete compressive strength required to bear factored loads and least allowable reinforcement ratio. It is due to the lowest price that should be attained when such measure is undertaken as the cost of reinforcement decreases.

It is suggested that, if the least reinforcement ratio is employed for a specified column, it can minimize total column cost considerably (around 32% for concrete strength of 56MPa and 57% for concrete strength of 100MPa) relating to the case where highest reinforcement ratio is applied.

The nominal size of columns in multi storied structures is indicated on the basis of the utmost concrete compressive strength and a constraint on the highest reinforcement ratio.

If the size of column is smaller than the least permissible size at the base of the structure, then reinforcement ratio should be reduced.

Lastly, both reinforcement ratio and concrete compressive strength are reduced as the enforced factored loads decline in the upper stories.

To gather more information on recommendations, go through the following article theconstructor.org

Read more

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Published By
Rajib Dey
www.constructioncost.co

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How the functionality of concrete is affected by the different factors

Quantity of water

Size aggregates

Grading of aggregate

Shape of aggregate

Texture of aggregate

Ratio of concrete

QUANTITY OF WATER.

Water is considered as the most vital factor that can influence the functionality of concrete. If more water is added, the functionality of the concrete will be enhanced. But with the inclusion of too much water, the durability of concrete can be reduced.

SIZE OF AGGREGATES

If the size of the aggregate is increased, the functionality of the high strength concrete will be reduced whereas the functionality of normal strength concrete is raised with the increment in the size of the aggregates.

GRADING OF AGGREGATES

If the grading of the aggregates is superior, the strength of the concrete along with the functionality is enhanced. The functionality of the concrete becomes superior with least number of voids. As for example, if there are 5%viods, the strength of the concrete will be reduced by 30 percent.

SHAPE OF AGGREGATE

The functionality of concrete is influenced by the shape of aggregate. The cubic shaped aggregate is mostly recommended. The functionality of the concrete is greatly affected by the stretched and odd shaped aggregate. The longevity of such concrete is also decreased. The functionality of the concrete is increased if the concrete contains rounded aggregates. But in this situation, the bond of the concrete remains extremely weak.

TEXTURE OF CONCRETE

Texture of aggregate is another crucial factor to influence the functionality of concrete. In order to develop a concrete, porous aggregate needs more water and thus the functionality of concrete is reduced.

RATIO OF CONCRETE

The functionality of concrete is also influenced by the ratio of fine aggregates and the course aggregate. If the number of fine aggregates in concrete is increased, the functionality of the concrete becomes superior. As for example, if the quantity of the cement is increased, the functionality of the concrete enhances.

To read the complete article, go through the following link

www.civiltechnology.org

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Simplify your concrete estimating process with Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1

Progress Builders, a full-service, Design-build company, working on residential construction market, just introduced Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

This newest construction app will be a very resourceful and exceptionally influential productivity tool for all contractors and owner-builders.

Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 was purposely intended to enhance and make the process simpler for estimating and bidding on concrete jobs. This construction software facilitates the Concrete Foundation Estimator to produce professional, editable, easy-to-follow construction bids, estimates, and quotes, together with the all or any part of the following:

• Concrete demolition of existing slabs and footings
• Excavation volume and cost using manual labor or machinery
• Extracted soil hauling and dumping fees
• Crushed concrete hauling and dumping fees
• Materials cost and volume for
• Footings
• Stem walls
• Piers
• Slabs
• Reinforcement
• Shear walls
• Anchor bolts
• All thread retrofits
• Concrete ready-mix or in bags
• Volume, cost and waste %
• Labor for piers, reinforcement assembly and concrete pouring
• Cost of concrete pumping
• Adjustable Workman's compensation rate
• Sales tax in your area for all materials
• Job overhead
• Custom fields to add to estimate

The Concrete Foundation Estimator contains an in-built portfolio page that saves all projects. One will be able to recover and revise estimates instantly, create revisions, make PDF quotes as well as spreadsheets editable in excel. There also exist some in-built Tutorials containing tricks for how to accumulate values from the plans and demonstrated explanations for each section.

While making estimation, you should not have to repeatedly find materials and labor cost. "CFE includes predefined settings which can be changed at your own level of price, time and materials utilized. The users have to get through all sections and update predefined values. You don’t have to update material or labor cost on a regular basis.

Estimator 1.1.1 supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as well as iOS 8.0 or later.

Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 will cost $4.99 USD and can be access all through the world via the App Store in the Business category.

Downloadable link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Free Construction Estimating Software

This exclusive video tutorial is presented by EstimatingTakeoff. Free Construction Estimating Software for all types of Takeoff.

General Contracting Estimating, Concrete Estimating, Estimating Masonry, Estimating Drywall, Estimating Painting, Estimating Lumber, Tenant Build Out Interior Contracting Estimating, Home Builder Estimating, Flooring Estimating, Siding Estimating, Estimating Roofing, Estimating Renovations,Landscaping Estimating, etc.

Any one of the construction estimating spreadsheets is Free with the purchase 

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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How to get rid of bleeding in concrete - Some useful tips

Bleeding is also termed as water gain in concrete. The water leakage in concrete is a serious issue and it happens because of low specific gravity of water. The leakage water is preserved at the top surface of concrete. Bleeding is generally happened in poor proportioned, inappropriately mix and extremely wet concrete. In low depth members like slab and road pavement, surplus bleeding arises throughout scorching weather concreting.

It also happens that along with water some quantity of cement also emerges out of concrete to the surface. The development of cement paste is recognized as laitance. Laitance makes feeble surface over consolidated concrete member below and shrinks bond concerning new and concrete. It is occurred while casting of column starters over the slab. Laitance should be taken out by chipping of the skinny paste prior to initiate next layer of concrete.

Water emerging from the top throughout bleeding, creates continuous channels within the concrete. Concrete turns to be leaky because of these continuous channels.

How to get rid of bleeding in concrete?

• Applying air entraining agents.
• Employing delicately segregated pozzolanic materials.
• By means of accurately proportion, and identical assimilation of concrete.

How to obtain the percentage of bleeding in concrete

Take the container having fairly accurate 10 lit capability and containing inner diameter of 250 mm and height about 280 mm. Load the container with brand new concrete in five layers (50 mm depth). Each layer must be tamped with tamping rod.

Work out the weight of concrete sample.

weight of concrete = (weight of container filled with concrete – weight of empty container.

Getting the total water content in 1 m3 of concrete (apply mix design data), quantity of water in container is estimated.

The container is positioned on level surface with any vibration and wrap it by lid (keep temperature approx 27 degree +/- 2 degree). Water amassed at the top throughout bleeding is drained by pipette at 10 mins intermission for the first 40 mins and 30 mins subsequently unless and until bleeding controlled.

Collect the water drained through pipette in jar and compute the volume.

% of bleeding = (volume of drawn water / volume of water in concrete sample) X 100

Ref. : www.constructionblog.org

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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BEUS - Concrete Ultrasonic Measurement device

BEUS is just like a handy intelligent instrument that focuses on the final setting of cement-bonded mineral materials like concretes, cements etc. The measurement can be performed throughout concreting or prior to concreting. The device can be useful for construction job site, in laboratories as well as indoor and outdoor application. BEUS is designed for mobile application.

The device calculates in actual time and the result can be obtained instantly. It consists of cement based mineral materials with all aggregates, additives and admixtures are measured.

The entire system is portable (12kg) and battery powered (about 100 hours recording time) and as a result it can be utilized in any construction job site easily.

The device can smoothly quantify the solidification time (in line with DIN 18218) of concrete. The premeditated lower pressure recording facilitates savings in formwork effort.

There is a lab version & industrial version. The lab version that is useful for universities as it broadcasts the data through a USB interface attached to a PC.

To get more updates about the device, visit the following link www.beus-controls.com

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Published by 
Rajib Dey
Content Writer
www.quantity-takeoff.com (Get all types of estimating sheets, softwares, directory, news, building codes)

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Two-Day US Workshop Series for Efficient design of post-tensioned buildings

This workshop series is purposely designed for those who get interested in availing practical training & in detail training in 3D-FEM concrete software, modeling processes and methods used for the design and evaluation of post-tensioned buildings.

There will be wide-ranging workflows and intermutual step-by-step guidance which will be undertaken for common structure types like parking garages with post-tensioned girders and one-way slabs, mat/raft soil-supported foundations, two-way elevated slabs and transfer/podium slabs.

The attendee can acquire in-depth training concerning each specific structure type with ADAPT-Builder 2012 software (containing ADAPT-Floor Pro, Edge and MAT) in an interactive learning atmosphere. Special guidance will be provided for the utilization and incorporation of ADAPT-Edge, a newly launched multistory analysis tool by ADAPT.

One can gather practical expert knowledge & understanding on how to effectively utilize these software tools in the design phase and extend practical workflows for completing a project.

First Day - Parking Structure with PT Girders and One-Way Conventional Slab / Soil-supported Mat Foundation Design:

• Get acquainted with software tools applying the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Equivalent Frame Method (EFM)
• Presentation and demonstration of a new multistory analysis tool for concrete structures, both traditionally reinforced and post-tensioned, ADAPT-Edge
• Explanation of workflows from start points regarding Revit integration, DWG/DXF files or other 3rd party software output
• Revit model integration with ADAPT-Builder and model authentication
• Pre-analysis formation concerning gravity and lateral loads, load patterns, elastic combination definition, long-term and cracked deflection combinations, stiffness and material assumptions
• A superior application for modeling involving components, finite element meshing, tendon modeling/optimization and analysis options
• Amendments for introducing mat foundation and load takedown
• Examination of the structure and creation of design criteria as well as design strips for beams/girders and one-way slabs
• Design strip implementation and drawing out of graphical and tabular results for report collection
• Export of reinforcement to Revit and Autocad

Second Day - Two-Way Elevated Slab / Two-way Transfer Slab

• Assessment of workflow for two-way slab systems in multistory structures or transfer/podium slabs
• Conversion of DWG/DXF files to structural components in ADAPT-Builder
• Formation of a multistory model from singular models or numerous drawing files
• Detailed modeling, analysis and design instruction for two-way slab systems similar to Day 1
• Evaluation of results and preparation of graphical reinforcement layout for export to Autocad

Series of upcoming USA workshop

• New York, NY - September 19 - 20
• Vancouver, BC - September 25 - 26
• Phoenix, AZ - October 17 - 18
• Dallas, TX - November 7 - 8

Registration: Click to view full Brochure and Registration Form >> To register on-line

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Published by 
Rajib Dey
Content Writer
www.quantity-takeoff.com (Get all types of estimating sheets, softwares, directory, news, building codes)

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The American Concrete Institute recently publish 318-11 building code

The American Concrete Institute has launched ACI 318-11 to be applied for all concrete design, construction, inspection, repair, and research professionals. The new publication includes most updated code necessary for concrete building design and construction together with the corresponding commentary.


ACI 318-11 will provide a great assistance to Engineers, architects, contractors, specifiers, building officials, students, and professors.


Key features of  ACI 318-11:
There are advancements for Reinforcement detailing for seismic applications which include reinforcement detailing for distinct segments of special structural wall systems, detailing of horizontal bars at special boundary elements, and tightened confinement details for flexural hinge regions of large beams.


In order to verify the concentration of dissolved sulfates in water, brackish water, or seawater, Test methods ASTM D516 and D4130 should be applied and to find out percent sulfate by mass in soil ASTM C1580 should be followed.


Recently accessible bend bar types are incorporated into proper provisions. Grade 80 bend bars in compliance with ASTM A615 or A706 should be utilized for non-seismic applications. Zinc and epoxy dual-coated reinforcing bars per ASTM A1055 are also now recognized.


Test records required to find out standard variation for a mixture design should be up to 24 months old. In order to execute acceptance testing of concrete  the testing agencies must adhere to ASTM C1077.


Detailing requirements for ties for circular columns have been explained thoroughly and addition made for minimum reinforcement of deep beams.


There are amendments for Detailing requirements of temperature and shrinkage reinforcement for post-tensioned slabs.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimatingJoin our estimating forum  

CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM GEARED TO HELPING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

The Miami-Dade County Department of Small Business Development and Turner Construction Company recently hosted graduation ceremonies for 56 people from 45 companies who participated in the annual Turner School of Construction Management Training Course.

The course provides participants from all aspects of the construction industry with training and continuing education units. In

This year, it began March 29 at the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, running nightly on Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 21.

The graduation ceremony took place June 23 at the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus Chapman Conference Center. Each participant got a certificate of completion.

Additional partners in the training program are the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Miami Dade College Community Education and the Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council.

Many participants are the county-certified owners and operators of the company they represent. They include small business owners who function as general contractors and subcontractors offering services and products such as interior design, painting, landscaping, flooring, land clearing, construction cleaning, tile, roofing, cabinetry, electrical, plumbing and other businesses related to the construction industry.

The course covers topics such as business development, pre-construction and estimating, contract surety bonds, bidding and purchasing procedures, safety on the jobsite, quality control, contract risk management, contracts 101, building information modeling (BIM), Introduction to green building, LEED, blue print reading and specifications, construction ethics, chapter 558 construction defects, chapter 489 construction law and rules and much more, including community presenters with topics such as “how to do business” with various organizations.

Turner Construction Company has for more than a quarter-century offered free training courses that have helped many people. One of its major community contributions has been to provide these professional construction management courses to help small, minority and women owned professionals work and compete for contracts in the construction industry.

The training program serves to expand the skills of minority, women, disadvantaged and small-business enterprises and the company says it has been crucial in helping Turner achieve successful contracts with M/WBEs across the country.

Since it began in 1969, 32,000 graduates have passed through the program nationally.

Newly launched measurement grouping tools for for pavement maintenance contractors.

Go iPave recently released measurement grouping tools which will facilitate USA based contractors to group any measurements alongwith asphalt, concrete, edging, sidewalks, turf etc. efficiently.

Go iPave makes the measuring bidding process smooth for pavement maintenance and service contractors as the contractors can now easily visualize specific surfaces in bid proposals, precisely calculate job costs and materials. Besides the contractors can save measurement groups to a workspace file for future reference and modification.

By utilizing the measurement grouping tools the Pavement maintenance contractors will get the ability to know the total quantity of asphalt they are working with, how long are all of the sidewalks and how much edging are they going to prep for?

Key Benefits:
• Group measurements by asphalt, concrete, sidewalks, turf and mulch
• Boostup efficiency while identifying all surface types included in bid proposal
• Smoothly allocate job costs and materials needed for each surface type/measurement group
• Simplify proposals by saving measurement groups to individual spreadsheet tabs
• Provide customers with detailed bids outlining exact surface type measurements like concrete and asphalt

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum

Estimating Method for Home Remodeling

Remodeling of house is an important part of today’s life. As we love to change the look of our house frequently it has to done with proper planning. Estimating the cost of the home improvement with the help of contractors is the easiest way to figure the cost of your job. Essentially, all you have to do is to ask several contractors to give you bids for the job. The contractors will be glad to give you estimates or quotes for the prices of labor and materials to complete your project. This is a simple process, but there are some aspects of this type of estimating that can skew the numbers. If you want accurate figures, you should follow some basic rules. What are those rules. Let's find out.

Plans

If you are going to allow contractors to do your job for you, a set of plans for what you want done is an absolute necessity. Even if the job is a small one, you will want to give each contractor bidding the work a set of plans. Without the plans the contractors cannot possibly bid the job competitively.

The plans you issue to contractors don't have to be elaborate, but they must detail all important aspects of the job. A rough sketch of what you want done will probably be adequate, but don't attempt to estimate your job with contractors until you have some type of plans to hand out.

Specifications

Specifications are as important, if not more important, than plans when working with contractors. When you put your job out to bids, you want all contractors pricing the same materials and services. This is only possible with a set of plans and a detailed set of specification.

It is not enough to list your specifications casually. You should not say that you want a new toilet, a new lavatory, and new faucets for the lavatory and bathtub. The specifications should include all technical data needed to identify the specific items you want. This information will normally include a model number, style, color, and similar information.

Tips for concrete estimation

Estimating concrete reinforcing costs is a vital phase of a construction. For ascertaining this keep in mind that the reinforcing steel supplier has taken account of all accessories, cutting, bending, and allowances for lapping, splicing, and waste. When no lap specifications are mentioned add 10% to your quantities for lapping, splices, and waste. Also consider 10% waste for welded wire fabric.

Consider the labor unit price for the subdivision of Reinforcing to put in accessories like bean and slab bolsters, high chairs, bar ties and tie wire

Besides checking structural drawings and architectural drawing, also take into consideration the mechanical and electrical drawings for equipment pads and grouting requirements on steel drawings

Deduct small (two square feet or so) while making estimation of the concrete quantities for floor slabs or walls.

One can avail the concrete prices from suppliers near the job site. A volume discount is obtainable which depends on the competition in the area. Don’t forget to add for waste on the whole for slabs and footings on grade.

In the case of compression testing for a project consider a least amount of one test per pour on smaller pours and a smallest amount of one test for each fifty yards of concrete placed. Each test should comprise of a minimum set of three cylinders.

For structural concrete estimation, includes the requisites for concrete additives, curing methods and surface treatments. Also give consideration to climate conditions alongwith hot or cold weather conditions, prerequisites for concrete placing and finishing methods and equipment.

For estimating precisely the components like formwork, reinforcing steel, ready-mix concrete, placement of the concrete mix, finishing of the surface, and curing should also be considered.


In order to finish the concrete surface a good rule of thumb for finishing concrete permits 1,000 S.F. of slab per each cement finisher.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
rajib@jobs2india.com
The estimating Service

A complete online course for estimating & bidding

A complete course over the internet is being arranged to provide training on construction estimation & bidding.

The course module will involve the followings :-
An Overview of Estimating and Bidding
Planning and Organizing the Estimate
Estimating General Conditions
Estimating Labor and Equipment
Estimating Sitework - Excavation
Estimating Sitework - Utilities and Other Site Amenities
Concrete Estimating - Footings and Foundations, Slab on Grade, Columns, Walls,and
systems
Estimating Masonry Construction

The participants shoud have the following skills :-
Capability to read blue prints
Accustomed to use spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel, Lotus 123, or Quattro Pro
Basic construction knowledge that includes basic math skill, Estimating terminology (quantity take off, unit price, production rate, etc., versed with calculator and
architectural scale

The course will last for 10 week long.

The course fee will vary from $600 for AACE member and $500 for Nonmember

For registration & detailed overview, please visit the following link
https://www.aacei.org/educ/online/courses/DLC105.shtml

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Construction estimating Service

Cubic yard formula for concrete estimating

A cubic yard is one kind of unit of measurement mostly used in estimating the amount of concrete required for a project. In order to estimate the amount of concrete, the volume of the spaces occupied by the concrete should be determined first. Concrete is ordered by the cubic yard.
To calculate a cubic yard, use the formula by multiplying the length, width and height of the area. The cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of concrete would fill a container that is 1 yard by 1 yard by 1 yard or 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or 27 cubic feet.
As for example a patio of 12 feet by 10 feet at 6 inches deep = (12' x 10' x 6") / 324 = approx. 2.25 cubic yards (2.22 rounded to a typical delivery amount)
Next, determine the depth desired in inches. Multiply the total square feet by the depth in inches. Divide it by 324.

Rajib Dey
The construction estimating