CIVIL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS & CONVERSION FACTORS

Measurement is one of the important things in civil engineering and without measurements, we can not complete any construction. Here I have listed some basic measurements and conversion factors which are most commonly used in civil engineering. Hope it will help you in your work.

BASIC QUANTITIES AND UNITS:

 BASIC STANDARDS:

1 inch = 25.4 mm = 2.54 cm.
1 meter = 39.37 inches = 1.09 yards.
1 liter = 0.22 galls (imp.)
1 gallon (imp.) = 4.546liters. 
1 gallon (US) = 3.785 liters.
1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2046 pounds(lb).
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METRIC UNIT OF WEIGHT / MASS :

1 tonne = 1000 kilograms = 10,00,000 grams.
1 quintal = 100 kilograms = 1,00,000 grams.
1 slug = 14.606 kg.
1 slug = 32.2 lb
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MEASUREMENTS OF LENGTH:

1 foot = 12 inches.
1 yard = 3 feet.
1 furlong = 220 yards.
1 mile = 8 furlongs.
1 kilometer = 1000 meters.
1 cm = 10 mm.
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METRIC UNITS FOR LIQUID MEASUREMENTS:

1 liter = 100 ml.
1 liter = 1 kg.
1 kiloliter (1000 liters) = 1 cubic meter / 1 cu.m / 1 m³.
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CONVERSION FACTORS:

1 cu.ft = 28.317 liters.
1 cu.ft = 0.028 cu.m
1 cu.ft = 6.24 galls(imp.)
1 cu.ft = 7.48 galls(US)
1 imp.gall = 1.20 galls(US), liquid.
1 imp.gall = 1.03 galls(US), dry.
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MEASUREMENTS OF AREA:

1 acre = 43560 sq.ft.
1 acre = 4046.46 sq.m.
1 acre = 8 kanals.
1 kanal = 20 marlas.
1 marla = 225 sq.ft [*in some regions 272 sq.ft]
1 marla = 15.50 sq.m
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MISCELLANEOUS CONVERSION FACTORS:

1 cu.m = 35.32 cu.ft
1 pound = 4.448 Newton(force)
1 klb = 4.448 kN
1 Psi(lb/sq.in) = 6.689 Pascal (N/sq.m)
1 (lb/sq.ft) = 0.048 (kN/sq.m).
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HOW TO CALCULATE OF UNIT WEIGHT OF STEEL BARS

CALCULATION OF UNIT WEIGHT OF STEEL BARS:

After estimating it is very important  to know the unit weight of steel bars, because we estimate as 100 meter 20mm dia bar or 100 feet 16mm dia bar, etc.
But steel bar suppliers will not understand this notation, they measure the steel bars in weight. So we have to order them in kg or quintal or ton. In this article, we will discuss how to calculate unit weight of steel bars of different diameter.

The formula is W = D²L / 162

where,

W = weight of steel bars.
D = Diameter of steel bars in mm.
L = Length of bars in meter.

Example 1 : Calculate the weight of 60 meter long 12mm dia bar.

Here, D = 12mm.
L = 100m.
We know that, W = D²L / 162

W = 12² x 60/162 = 53 kg 

Weight of 60 m 12mm dia bar is 53 kg.

Let's look for another example.

Example 2 : Calculate the weight of 100 m 16mm dia bar.

Here, D = 16mm

L = 100m

W = 16² x 100/162 = 158 kg 

If we put 1meter length for each diameter of steel bar in the formula then we will get the unit weight.

• 10mm dia bar = 10² x 1/162 = 0.617 kg/m
• 12mm dia bar = 12² x 1/162 = 0.888 kg/m
• 16mm dia bar = 16² x 1/162 = 1.580 kg/m
• 20mm dia bar = 20² x 1/162 = 2.469 kg/m

If we multiply the length of bars with this unit weight we will get the total weight of steel bars.

For example, total weight of 1000 meter long 20mm dia steel bar is,

1000 x 2.469 = 2469 kg.

Using the same method we can calculate the unit weight of different steel bars.

Here I have calculated in meter but we can also calculate in foot. To calculate in foot we have to use the following formula:

W = D²L / 533

Where, 
D = Diameter of bars in mm.
L = Length of bars in foot.

TOP 10 REQUIREMNETS TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CIVIL ENGINEER

CIVIL ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS:

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TOP 10 REQUIREMENTS OF CIVIL ENGINEERING TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL CIVIL ENGINEER:

1.TESTS OF A  BUILDING MATERIALS:

A good civil engineer should have proper knowledge of different tests of building materials. Some important test are listed below.

Concrete Test:

• Slump test
• Compression test
• Split tensile test
• Soundness test etc.

Soil Test:

• Core cutter test
• Compaction test
• Sand replacement test
• Triaxial test
• Consolidation test etc.

Bitumen Test:

• Ductility test
• Softening point test
• Gravity test
• Penetration test etc.

2.INVESTIGATION OF SOIL:

Various soil tests are conducted to determine the settlement and stability of soils before starting a construction. So as a civil engineer, you should have enough knowledge of these tests which are performed at the site.

3.USAGE OF SURVEY INSTRUMENTS:

Usage of survey instruments like the total station, theodolite etc is also a mandatory knowledge for every civil engineer. These instruments are used for marking and measurements.

4.STANDARD CODES USAGE IN CONSTRUCTION:

Every country has their standard safety specifications (eg: IS code) for construction related works. All new construction should be done by following all the rules and procedure mentioned in the standard codes. Otherwise, chances of failure of a structure will be always high.

5.BAR BENDING SCHEDULE:

Bar bending schedule is an essential chart for civil engineers. It provides the reinforcement calculation of RC beam such as cutting length, type of bending, the length of bending etc.

6.DRAWINGS AND DESIGNS:

Drawings and designs are the primary keys of an ongoing project. It provides all the required specifications of that project. Every site engineers should have the analyzing power of such drawings and designs.

7.ESTIMATION AND BILLS:

Estimation and bills should be prepared by a civil engineer in a construction project. So one should also have a good knowledge in estimation and bills to become a successful civil engineer.

8.QUALITY CONTROL:
 
Quality control ensures the profit of a project by reducing the extra costs. So you must have a basic knowledge about quality control.

9.ON FIELD MANAGEMENT:

Knowledge of form-work, concreting, safety measures etc is also a key aspect of a successful civil engineer.

10.COORDINATION WITH LABOR:

As a civil engineer, you must know how to deal with labors in a site. Interacting with and also managing the labors in a site is much more important.

TYPES OF DRAWINGS USED IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

TYPES OF DRAWINGS USED IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION:

Drawings are the most important things we need to start any construction project. There are different types of drawings for different purposes. In this article, we will discuss different types of construction drawings (also known as Working Drawing). Construction drawings provide detail measurements and clear section of every building parts. After reviewing, the drawings are justified and modified and finally approved for construction.The different types of construction drawings are listed below.

1.ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING:

This type of drawing provides complete view of a building. It demonstrates the location of building parts where they will be placed. There are different types of architectural drawings with different names such as plan, elevation, section etc.

2.STRUCTURAL DRAWING:

As the name suggests, this type of drawing provides information about structure, like strength of different structural elements, structural materials, grade, size and placement of reinforcement etc. 

3.ELECTRICAL DRAWING:

This type of drawings provide the details and location of electrical wiring, fixtures,sub-station etc. The electrical load calculation is also given in the drawing. 

4.PLUMBING AND SANITARY DRAWING:

These drawings give the location of sanitary, piping for water supply system, fixture, and the process to connect every fixture etc.

5.FINISHING DRAWING:

 This types of drawings contain the details of finishing and appearance of the building such as marbles, tiles etc.

HOW TO CALCULATE CEMENT BAGS IN 1 CUBIC METER

PROCEDURE TO CALCULATE CEMENT BAGS IN 1 CUBIC METER:

Let us consider the nominal mix is 1:2:4

Loss of cement is considered as 2%

Output of mix is considered as 67%

To achieve 1cum output, we need 1/0.67 = 1.49 say 1.50 cum dry mix.
      
Now add wastage of 2%, i.e (1.50 + 0.02) = 1.52 cum.

Volume of cement = (Cement / Cement+Sand+Aggregate) x Total material 
                = (1 /1+2+4) x 1.52
                = 0.2171 cum

As we know, the density of cement is 1440 kg/cum and 

Weight of 1 bag cement = 50 kg.

Therefore Volume of 1 bag cement = (Weight of 1 bag cement / Density of cement)
                                                        = 50 / 1440 = 0.0347 cum.

∴ No. of cement bags required in 1 cubic meter = 0.2171 / 0.0347 = 6.25 bags.

Note: You can use the same formula for calculating cement for other nominal mixes.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESTIMATES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ESTIMATES:

There are different types of estimates which are as follows:

1.PRELIMINARY OR APPROXIMATE OR ROUGH ESTIMATE:

This is an inexact estimate to find out a rough cost in a short time which enables the authority concerned to consider the financial aspect of the scheme, for according sanction to the same. Such an estimate is framed after knowing the rate of similar works and from practical knowledge in various ways for various types of works such as:

• Plinth area or square-meter method
• Cubic rate or cubic-meter method
• Service until or until rate method
• Bay method
• Approximate quantities with bill method
• Cost comparison method
• The cost of materials and labor.

2.DETAILED ESTIMATES:

This consists of detailed particulars of the quantities, rates, and costs of all the materials required for satisfactory completion of a  project.

Quantities of all materials of work are calculated according to their respective dimensions on the drawings on a measurement sheet. Multiplying these quantities by their respective rates in a separate sheet, the cost of  all items of work are figured out individually and then summarized, i.e abstracted (which is the detailed actual estimated cost of work). All other expenses required for satisfactory completion of the project are added to the above cost to frame  the total of a detailed estimate.

A detailed estimate is accompanied by

• Report
• Specifications
• Detailed drawings showing plans, different sections, Key or Index plan etc.
• Design data and calculations
• The basis of rates  adopted in the estimate.

Such a detailed estimate is prepared for technical sanction, administrative approval and also for the execution of a contract with the contractor.

3.QUANTITY ESTIMATES OR QUANTITY SURVEY:

This is a complete estimate or list of quantities for all materials of work required to complete the concerned project. The quantity of each individual item of work is worked out from respective dimensions on the drawing of the structure. To find the cost of an item its quantity is multiplied by the rate per unit for that item. The purpose of the bill of quantities is to provide a complete list of quantities necessary for the completion of any engineering project and when priced gives the estimated cost of the project.
 

TOP 10 BRANCHES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

TOP 10 CIVIL ENGINEERING BRANCHES:

The top 10 civil engineering branches are as following:

1.CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING:

 Construction engineering is one of the important branches of civil engineering.This branch deals with the planning, construction, and maintenance of structures such as buildings, bridges, towers etc.

2.GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING:

  
Geotechnical engineering is about analyzing the subterrestrial soil, rock, foundation etc.
Sub-branches of Geotechnical engineering:

• Soil Mechanics
• Soil Dynamics
• Foundation Engineering
• Rock Mechanics
• Pavement Engineering

3.STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING:

Structural engineering is the branch which deals with the design and structural analysis of structures such as buildings, bridges, etc.

4.SURVEYING:

In this branch of civil engineering, surveying and leveling are done to locate and measure the property lines, layout of buildings, roads, bridges, etc. for construction.

5.TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING:

Transportation engineering deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of various transportation facilities such as highways, railways, airports, parking lots, traffic signal control systems etc.

6.ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING:

This branch is related to study of pollution, environment-friendly designs, water treatment plants etc.

7.EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING:

Earthquake engineering is one of the latest additions in civil engineering. It deals with the seismic forces, designs and construction of earthquake resistant structures.

8.WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING:

This branch of civil engineering interacts with the design and construction of hydraulic structures such as dams, canals, water distribution systems etc.

9.MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING:

Municipal engineers work with the urban or city governments for planning and management of township.

10.MATERIAL ENGINEERING:

Material engineering is the study of the strength of materials, properties of materials etc which are used in construction work and other ceramics.