Download spreadsheet for designing rectangular footing

Footings are considered as the most crucial part of a structure. The foundation delivers the entire load of the structure to the soil. This spreadsheet can be used to design rectangular or square footing.
This spreadsheet consists of five sections which are explained below :-



Input Section Rectangular Footing Design Spreadsheet

Under this section, most of the inputs should be put in because there are some options which can be inputted in due course. Cells for inputting data are demonstrated with a filled background. At the location where there exists some advised value but it is possible for a user to modify the value for instance. “Factor of safety” a default value is put in and an input place is set after “or” where needed value can be put in and value that will be utilized again is illustrated after “use”.



Representation Section of Rectangular Footing Design Spreadsheet.

The 2nd part of the spreadsheet is representation where a footing diagram is represented and different types of dimensions are also entered.

spreadsheet for rectangular footing design

In this part amount of steel reinforcement along both the direction is worked out.

Check Section of Rectangular Footing Design Spreadsheet

In a foundation, it becomes very crucial to verify the safety against shear forces at both the vial section. When there exists a shear failure, it is highlighted with conditional formatting in the spreadsheet.

To download the spreadsheet, click on the following link.
http://ccivilengineer.com/spreadsheet-for-designing-rectangular-footing/

Some newest technologies for estimators to save huge estimating time

Some powerful digital tools are emerged in the construction market in recent times which can save significant times in quantity takeoff and bidding process for estimators as well as increase profitability.

Given below, the most recognized technologies which can transform your estimating process to the next level.

1. Electronic takeoff -- The vital part of current digital takeoff is the competence to instantly measure the scope of work necessary for a business through the takeoff functions in computer-based systems. It facilitates the estimator to produce the required quantity of estimates in an efficient and perfect manner.


2. Electronic bidding/estimate prep – The newest estimating software is coordinated automatically with the takeoff systems in order that the quantities are continuously associated with labor assignments, recap sheets empowering the users to tally, re-tally and carry out what-if scenarios quickly in bid-due time.
   
   
   
   


3. Bidding management/email - In recent times, Bid solicitation software has replaced decade long email system to keep in touch with potential bidders, clients, and architects. It functions at a minimum as a CRM and pursue existing and future bidding scopes. But its primary objective is to control outgoing RFPs, ITBs, etc. and responses.



4. Electronic job costing – Usually an estimator doesn’t handle data in a job-cost system, they will get the ability to recover reports which can be used for to back-checking and revise unit prices. Estimators employ job costing to be aware with the latest labor rates and ensure that materials are procured as bid and review tax rates.


5. Computer-aided scheduling – Having the ability to chart out and arrange a project where it is not possible to provide main piece of material until after a critical junction will be an important factor to support the bidding team and ensure the client why they are smarter than the competition.

Article Source : www.forconstructionpros.com

Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam – An exclusive reference book for NCEES Civil PE exam

Michael R. Lindeburg, a well known author of engineering textbooks and references, has written an exclusive e-book alias “Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam”. This all-encompassing textbook is specifically designed for the NCEES Civil PE exam. The book contains 1648 pages.



This book briefly explains the basics to improve your concepts associated with common civil engineering field. There are 90 chapters in the book which offer a comprehensive assessment of all the topics, codes, and standards documented in the NCEES Civil PE specifications. The wide-ranging index comprises of numerous entries together with various entries encompassed for each topic.

Construction Book For PE Exam

This following features are included in the book :

• More than 100 appendices with necessary support material
• More than 500 clarifying instances
• In excess of 550 common civil engineering terms presented in an user-friendly glossary
• Numerous equations, figures, and tables
• Industry-standard jargon and nomenclature
• Equivalent support of U.S. customary and SI units

Once you passed the exam, the Civil Engineering Reference Manual will also provide useful guidance all through your civil engineering career.


The book focuses on the following exam Topics

• Civil Breadth: Project Planning; Means and Methods; Soil Mechanics; Structural Mechanics; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Geometrics; Materials; Site Development
• Construction: Earthwork Construction and Layout; Estimating Quantities and Costs; Construction Operations and Methods; Scheduling; Material Quality Control and Production; Temporary Structures; Health and Safety. For additional Construction Depth coverage, check out the Construction Depth Reference Manual.
• Geotechnical Site Characterization; Soil Mechanics, Laboratory Testing, and Analysis; Field Materials Testing, Methods, and Safety; Earthquake Engineering and Dynamic Loads; Earth Structures; Groundwater and Seepage; Problematic Soil and Rock Conditions; Earth Retaining Structures; Shallow Foundations; Deep Foundations
• Structural: Analysis of Structures; Design and Details of Structures; Codes and Construction. For additional Structural coverage, check out the Structural Engineering Reference Manual.
• Transportation: Traffic Engineering; Horizontal Design; Vertical Design; Intersection Geometry; Roadside and Cross-Section Design; Signal Design; Traffic Control Design; Geotechnical and Pavement; Drainage; Alternatives Analysis. For additional Transportation Depth coverage, check out the Transportation Depth Reference Manual.
• Water Resources and Environmental: Analysis and Design; Hydraulics-Closed Conduit; Hydraulics-Open Channel; Hydrology; Groundwater and Wells; Wastewater Collection and Treatment; Water Quality; Drinking Water Distribution and Treatment; Engineering Economic Analysis

To purchase the book online, click on the following link.
http://www.amazon.in/Civil-Engineering-Reference-Manual-Exam/dp/1591265088

Solar roof – The newest technology in roofing industry

Solar roof is the latest technology in the roofing industry. It uses solar energy and allows for transformation to a eco-friendly energy future.

Solar roof is reasonable, long-lasting, attractive and combined with battery storage.

Solar Roof can add elegant look to the architecture of any home whereas converting sunlight into electricity. Under solar roof system, the energy is gathered throughout the day and preserved through an integrated Powerwall. The stored energy can be used any time and efficiently transform a home into a personal applicability. Solar energy can be produced, preserved and applied day and night, providing nonstop power even if the grid becomes low.

Solar Roof System

Solar Roof is more cost-effective as compared to traditional roofs as in several cases, it can significantly minimize or curtail the electricity bill of any home.  The cost of Solar Roof is fewer, it is required to pay only $21.85 per square foot for Solar Roof by a general home owner.



Under solar roof system, there are two types of tiles—solar and non-solar. Customers can have the options to choose for the required number of solar tiles on the basis of their home’s electricity consumption. As for instance, households that charge an electric vehicle daily, may require more solar tiles on their roof.



There are different types of designs for solar roof which range from smooth and Textured (available this year) and Tuscan and Slate (available early 2018). Made with tempered glass, Solar Roof tiles are light weight and more than three times sturdier as compared to standard roofing tiles. These roof tiles do not damage in due course like asphalt or concrete.

Some leading companies like Tesla is developing solar roof at reasonable price. One provide an order for Solar by going through their website. Installations of Solar Roof will commence in the U.S. this summer and installations outside the U.S. to begin in 2018.

Give your order online.
https://www.tesla.com/solarroof

Importance of Concrete sealants and hardeners

This educational construction video tutorial is specifically created for home owner, business owner, contractor, finisher as well as improving your knowledge about concrete.

This video is presented by John, co-founder of Concrete Genius. In this video John covers some vital topics in concrete construction which range from type of concrete sealant applied in concrete, concrete hardener and concrete densifiers.

Concrete should sealed with a powerful sealer as concrete is an absorbent material that quickly consumes liquids. In freeze-thaw weathers, the enlargement of frozen liquids can devastate the surface of unsealed concrete. Besides, oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can affect the color as well as impair the unsealed concrete.



One can apply various sealers independently with the use of simple tools, like a paint roller of pump-up sprayer. These comprise of acrylic-resin sealers, reactive penetrating sealers, 50%-solids epoxies and 50%-solids urethanes. To apply high-quality sealers like 100%-solids epoxies, polyaspartic urethanes and polyureas, professional guidance is necessary with special tools and application techniques.

Concrete Sealant

Concrete hardener can enhance the abrasion and chemical resistance in concrete and considerably make the strength of the concrete surface. Besides, it solidifies the concrete and reduces dusting and pitting.

Easy Rafters 4.0 is ideal for calculating & cutting roof rafters

Easy Rafters refers to an individual computer aided design program that accepts the assumption from calculating and cutting roof rafters. Just choose a roof type, put the necessary dimensions, and quickly produce completely dimensioned drawings which are visible onscreen, printed to any Windows printer, or exported as a DXF file.



If you're a building professional, Easy Rafters is ideal for a building professional to save considerable time & money by accomplishing complicated calculations instantly and precisely. It allows you work out materials perfectly and minimize waste at the time of cutting rafters.



With the feature like DXF export capability, it is possible for the architects and engineers to create added value for their customers with the inclusion of detailed rafter drawings and specifications for their plans. It is well versed in Metric too!

Easy Rafter 4.0

The newest version Easy Rafters 4.0 offers the following functionalities :-

• All roofs excluding the Saltbox and Polygon apply the width of the building rather than the common rafter run as well as the total overhang along with the fascia board to compute the rafters.
• The Octagon roof is substituted with the Polygon roof type which facilitates for roofs having from three to twelve sides.
• The Dual Slope roof is retitled to Saltbox and the front & rear spans, overhangs, heel & seat, kneewalls, and rafter sizes of the Saltbox roof can now be entered individually.
• The Dutch Hip roof type is removed as a choice in the Roof Type dropdown list. Now, a Dutch Hip can be estimated by integrating a Gable Roof with an correctly sized 90 degree Bay Roof.
• The Valley and Unequal Span Valley roofs are integrated into a single Valley roof option.
• Valley roofs now contain jack rafter layout functionality like the Hip Roof layout.
• Hip, Blind Valley, Polygon, and Bay Roofs contain a Sheathing tab which demonstrates dimensions and angles ideal for computing and cutting roof sheathing. Valley roofs list the sheathing angle on the Layout tab.
• DXF files can be generated in AutoCad 2000 format.
• Print Preview functionality is included. Previews comprise of the header and footer with roof and rafter data that was earlier visible when printed.
• Drawings for the existing roof are shown or printed all together or separately.

Download a free demo version.
https://www.easyrafters.com/Download2

Learn the detailed process for computing the quantities of concrete blocks

This construction video tutorial shows the detailed process which can be useful for computing the quantities of concrete blocks.

A concrete block stands for a concrete masonry unit alias CMU, in the construction sector. Concrete blocks range from solid or hollow, having two or three cores or voids.

A concrete block is one of different types of precast concrete products which are employed in construction. The term precast means that the blocks are built up and solidified prior to deliver them on the job site. Most concrete blocks contain one or more hollow cavities, and their sides are casted smooth or with a design.

Concrete blocks are developed with cast concrete (e.g. Portland cement and aggregate, normally sand and fine gravel, for high-density blocks). Lower density blocks apply industrial wastes, like fly ash or bottom ash, as an aggregate. Lightweight blocks are built up with autoclaved aerated concrete.

The calculation is done on the basis of the following points :-

• Total volume of wall 
• Volume of block
• Volume of each block with mortar

 The following formula is used for calculation :-

Numbers of block = total volume of wall/volume of block

To view the complete demonstration, watch the following video.

concrete blocks

Brief demonstration of bar bending schedule

This construction video tutorial is based on bar bending schedule. Learn what the bar bending schedule is and how to prepare bar bending schedule.



Bar Bending Schedule means summary of reinforcement in a tabular form. The bar bending schedule comprises of diameter/dimension of the bar, type of the bar, size of the bar, shape of the bar, numbers of bars of each type, Length of the bar with bending details.


Bar bending schedule is prepared on a A4 paper and it is located at the right side of the construction drawing. It is different from the main drawing.

Bar Bending Schedule

Bar bending schedule is prepared by the following personnel :-

• Detailer
• The person who is liable to examine the drawing
• The contractors who orders the reinforcement
• Organization liable to fabricate the reinforcement
• Steel fixer
• Clear of works and other inspectors
• The Quantity Surveyors

Watch following online demonstration.