Posts

Showing posts from December, 2020

We don't build houses that produce cracks later.

Image
  What is the Right Water-Cement Ratio for Mix Design? Because of this knowledge, Mc Mushongo Investment cc  don't build  houses that will have cracks all over. Different Water-cement ratios are employed for different concrete applications. For high-quality concrete construction, a lower water-cement ratio of 0.4 is employed. For concrete construction like driveways and sidewalks, a w/c ratio ranging from 0.6 to 0.7 is normally used. The practical range of water-cement ratio ranges from 0.3 to 0.8 that gives stiff and weak concrete respectively. Weak concrete means a fairly wet concrete. A compressive strength about 5600psi can be obtained from a concrete of water-cement ratio 0.4. This value will go down to 2000psi if a water-cement ratio of 0.8 is used. How to Choose Water-cement ratio? Based on the exposure conditions and requirements, the w/c ratio is selected either by the customer or by the authority in charge. The w/c ratio can be either taken from the available data o

What is Foundation in Construction? Purpose and the Functions of Foundations.

Image
Foundation is the lowest part of the building or the civil structure that is in direct contact with the soil which transfers loads from the structure to the soil safely. Generally, the foundation can be classified into two, namely  shallow foundation  and  deep foundation. A shallow foundation transfers the load to a stratum present in a shallow depth. The deep foundation transfers the load to a deeper depth below the ground surface. A tall building like a skyscraper or a building constructed on very weak soil requires deep foundation. If the constructed building has the plan to extend vertically in future, then a deep foundation must be suggested. To construct a foundation, trenches are dig deeper into the soil till a hard stratum is reached. To get stronger base foundation concrete is poured into this trench. These trenches are incorporated with reinforcement cage to increase the strength of the foundation. The projected steel rods that are projected outwards act as the bones

In construction there is no working from home.

Image
 When it comes to construction business, there is nothing like," working from home," It is  not easy to complete a project during this time of Covid-19,  i am talking about the sudden rise of material price, the lockdown and  the limited work force, But goals must be met, purpose must be fulfilled and potential must be released.

How to Handle Construction Mistakes at Site?

Image
In General : Handling or management of construction activity is crucial to prevent the occurrence of construction mistakes at sites. Smallest precautionary steps can help save gigantic losses. These construction errors can appear due to poor-quality material, poor workmanship, inadequate monitoring  etc. So, adopting good construction practices is essential to handle the mistakes and reduce damage, avoid extensive rework, and make sure that the rest of the construction work gets finalized within a specified schedule. Taking responsibility for construction mistakes, appropriate documentation of construction errors, good communication with construction staff, setting repair schedule, and performing project risk assessment are significant practices to handle construction mistakes. Finally, considerations to avoid future mistakes are also important such as the use of automation in construction, improvement of communication tools, and application of good cautions while conducting cons

How do we repair Leaky Joints in Masonry Walls

Image
Mc Mushongo investment cc We determine defective joints through which water travels. We remove mortar from deteriorated joints to a depth of around 1.6cm. We clean joints with water to remove dust and dirt from both joints and bricks. When the wall is still damp, but with no visible water, we  repoint the joints with suitable mortar. We Place the mortar tightly into the joint. The mortar should have a stiff consistency to take its place correctly. To reduce shrinkage, wait for 1 hour or more before the application of the mortar into the joints. After repointing, we keep the masonry in a damp condition for 2 to 3 days. If the bricks are highly absorptive, they may contain a sufficient amount of water to aid materially in curing. We use grouting when less expensive treatment method is desired, but it is less effective, durable, water-resistant than the repointing technique. A grout consists of an equal quantity of Portland cement and sand. We Wet the mas

What is Porotherm Bricks? Properties, Advantages, and Applications

Image
Porotherm clay bricks are horizontally or vertically perforated clay bricks. they are manufactured in variety of sizes (common size is 400x200x200 mm) from natural clay, coal ash, rice husk, and granite slurry. The term porotherm is used for this type of brick due to its desired thermal insulation characteristics. The perforation of the clay brick provides an exception walling system which facilitates thermal insulation resulting in cooler interiors in hot seasons and warm interior conditions in cold seasons. The porotherm clay bricks are easy to use, economical, environmentally friendly, and it can be used for the construction of both non-load bearing walls and load bearing walls. The porotherm bricks are low weight, durable, strong, and possess a satisfactory fire resistance. It can be used with dry mortar which eliminate the need for curing time. Properties of Porotherm Bricks The compressive strength is greater than 3.5MPa High thermal and sound insulation. Low weight:

How do Mc Mushongo Investment cc Reduce the Possibility of Crack Development in Concrete?

Image
A Lesson to learn for  all  new contractors in namibia.  The possibility of crack development in different structural concrete elements can be reduced by adopting various design and construction measures. Our method  can help reduce or eliminate the causes responsible for the formation of cracks. Common types of cracks in concrete are • plastic settlement cracks •plastic shrinkage cracks •thermal contraction cracks,  •long-term drying shrinkage cracks  •cracks due to reinforcement corrosion and alkali-aggregate •reactions,  • crazing. We  prevent shrinkage and settlement cracks in plastic concrete through the use of • shrinkage-compensating admixture • sufficient concrete cover • controlled rate of evaporation Moreover, cracks due to thermal contractions and long-term drying shrinkage can be controlled by the proper distribution of  •steel bars,  •provision of expansion joints The quality of concrete constituent materials, concrete placement, compaction, and curing play a crucial role

What is Guniting?

Image
Guniting is a process used in construction for the application of slope stabilization and certain rehabilitation purpose mainly in the construction of retaining walls, swimming pool construction, tunnel construction, in fluid tank construction and some of the concrete repair works. Clear definition of guniting is understood properly by knowing what is shotcrete. What is the  Procedure, Applications and Advantages of Guniting? Procedure and Guniting Requirements The guniting is hence called as the dry-mix shotcrete process which convey dry material from a machine to surface of application through a nozzle by means of compressed pressure and high velocity. The mix used in guniting is cement mortar mix. There may be variations based on the application and requirements of the area. the dry ingredients are mixed in a bin and stored in a cement gun. During the time of application, under the action of pressure and high velocity, the dry mix is injected, and the water is introduced at t

How to Plan Green Hospital Construction?

Image
LEED Certification for Hospitals Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is one way to demonstrate adherence to green construction standards.  There are a few steps to be followed for the construction of a hospital in a green and sustainable manner. 1. Site Selection for Hospital Construction. Select a land area that is not located in the middle of the wetlands, on the top of landfills, chemical dumps, or farmlands. Select a site that is easily accessible by public transit. Access to public transportation can facilitate both the staff and patients visiting the hospital. Due to this, there is an improved community presence and reduction in carbon footprint. 2. Avoiding Parking Lots. Parking space for the hospital employees requires a large area of hot black asphalt platform, which contributes to high average global temperature. The objective is to focus on the use of local public transport systems like trains, buses, subways, and bike lanes. 3. Arrange Interio

Recessed Lights– Features and Advantages

Image
  Recessed lighting requires extensive ceiling wires. This lighting system comes with a light-to-light connection where all the lights are connected in series through a single cable. The recessed lights have three main parts: Housing Trim Bulb The visible portion of the recessed light forms the  trim.  Trim is viewed when looked up at the fixture. The trim has a thin lining around the edge. The fixture unit itself forms the  housing  that is inserted into the ceiling during installation. The housing unit consists of a lamp holder. The last part is the  bulb , which is inserted into the recessed lighting fixtures. Based on the amount of light generation required, a variety of bulbs is available to choose from the market. Why Recessed lights? The use of recessed lights promotes minimalism in a room. The recessed lights illuminate the room without any clutter as usually happens in the case of ceiling lights. These lights are the best choice for low ceilings as they do not protru

Role of Construction Professionals in Monitoring a Construction Project.

Image
Role of Architect According to Bamisile (2004), the architect should be visiting site periodically for inspections to ensure that in general, the work being carried out on site is in compliance with architectural designs and specifications. Role of Engineering Consultants. Bamisile (2004) noted that during the construction phase, engineers (geotechnical, structural, electrical and mechanical) should visit the site regularly for inspections to ensure that in general, is in compliance with their engineering drawings, schedules and specification. A Structural Engineer should be concerned with the monitoring and ensuring that the design (structural) performance criteria are met in the construction methods and materials. Similarly, the mechanical and electrical engineer should monitor the type and ways of installing mechanical and electrical installations so as to ensure that it complies with their designs and specifications. Role of the Builder. The core function of a builder in any constr

How do Mc Mushongo investment cc Effectively Manage Construction Supply Chain?

Image
  Every player in the construction sector, in one way or the other, is a part of the overall supply chain. The project designer, materials supplier, subcontractors, the main contractor, and the client often act as the links of the supply chain across different construction projects and operations. Construction supply chains (CSC) are known to be complex, and their intricacies keep increasing with the growing magnitude of the project. The complexity further increases with the involvement of more people, i.e., first-tier, second-tier suppliers, and other tiers of sub-contractors, etc. The scope of the project is correlated to the complexity of the supply chain as more manpower, parties, and materials are needed for the completion of the project. Thus, it is essential to implement proper planning, organization, and collaboration between supply chain partners for a seamless supply chain operation and a smooth 1.  Development of Suppliers and Subcontractors Mc Mushongo  investment cc

How do Mc Mushongo investment cc deal with Risk Management in Construction Projects?

Image
Risk management in construction industry is an important part of the project planning and management. Various risks associated with construction projects such as financial risks, environmental risks, socio-economic and construction related risks are studied and dealt in risk management. The volatility and capriciousness of the environment in the construction industry was never hidden from anyone. It’s easily influenced by external factors (technical, design, logistics, physical, operating, environmental, socio-political, force majeure et cetera) which are capable of not only derailing projects but can also create an irreparable aberration. Risk management, therefore, becomes a pivotal instrument that helps us deal with the culling out of various risks, their analyses, and the remedial steps that could be taken to avert them in a particular project. Types of Risks in Construction Project Management The major risks that usually crop up in front of a project manager while helming a

THIS IS HOW WE DO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN WINDHOEK, LEARN FROM US EVEN IF YOU DON'T TAKE US.

Image
 THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE BANK LIKE GIVING US PROJECTS BECAUSE WE DO OUR JOB ACCORDING TO THE BOOK. There may be variations as every project is unique and follows different design and construction process. In general, the basic steps involved in a building project are briefly explained. Planning Permits Preparation of Construction Site Foundation Construction Superstructure Construction Punch Lists Building Warranty Period 1. Planning The planning in building construction involves three major steps: Developing the Building Plan Analysing the Finance Selecting the Construction Team Once the site where the building project is indented to construct is chosen, the expertise of engineers and architects are taken to develop the site and the building plan. Sometimes, an appropriate site is selected after the building layout is prepared. The building plan is developed based on the owner’s requirements and budget. Once the plan is in hand,

Important Non-Destructive Geophysical Soil Investigation Methods.

Image
The geotechnical investigation for any worksite is preceded by the preliminary geological-geotechnical survey. This consists of an on-site superficial survey, sometimes involving small investigation activities, such as the opening of shallow pits and shafts. Usually, the field visit is preceded by a desk study comprising the collection of existing written and drawn information about the site, topographic and geological charts in particular, and geotechnical charts if available. Currently, the use of two and three-dimensional aerial images obtained from satellite and free web navigation tools is also very useful, particularly for large works outside urban areas, such as roads, dams, and for the stabilization of natural slopes. When dealing with densely populated areas, geotechnical characterization reports for nearby constructions can generally be found, which represent important sources to be collected and checked. Ground penetration radar method.  Geophysical investigations method Dat

How to Decide Thickness of Different Masonry Walls in Buildings?

Image
  Thickness of masonry walls in a building is designed based on loads and other factors. Various requirements for suitable thickness of masonry walls are discussed. Requirement for Thickness of Masonry Walls in Buildings There are various requirements regarding the thickness of masonry walls that needs to be considered at the design stage. For example, it is recommended to use constant masonry wall thickness between lateral supports. If masonry wall thickness is changed, it is recommended to extend the thicker wall to the lower support level. Building code requirements and specifications for masonry structure (ACI 530-11) states that, when the thickness of masonry wall constructed from hollow masonry units is changed, then it would be required to provide a layer or several layer of solid masonry units or completely grouted hollow masonry units between thicker masonry wall and the thinner masonry wall. The aim of providing solid masonry course between thicker and thinner masonr