Big-Tunnel Engineering Limited

17/11/2024

05/11/2024

ROAD CONSTRUCTION.


What is road pavement ?

In road construction the term road pavement is a general term applied specifically to the whole construction of road.
But the pavement can be classified as FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT and RIGID PAVEMENT

1. Flexible pavement:
Flexible pavement are assumed to have no tensile strength and consist of a series of layers of materials to distribute the wheel loads to the subgrade.
The base course of the surfacing can consist of rolled asphalt, or bitumen.

2. Rigid pavement:
Rigid pavement is a kind of road using a concrete slab laid over a base layer. However, the preparation of the subgrade is similar to that of flexible pavement.
The base layer is laid over the subgrade and is required to form a working surface from which to cast the concrete slab. The thickness of the slab will depend upon the condition of the subgrade, and amount of traffic and wether the slab is to be reinforced.

Credits:
Boho Ahmed

04/11/2024

FLOOR SLAB CONSTRUCTION

The principal types of floor slab construction are:
1. Beam and slab.
2. Waffle slab.
3. Drop slab.
4. Flush slab.

If time permits, I will discuss on one or more types giving reference to the construction procedure and impact for better understanding of what to choose because each structure has different requirements as regard to load bearing, durability, aesthetic, and environmental factors

WAFFLE SLAB
Waffle slab, honeycomb or grid slab as it is sometimes called, is mainly as an alternative to other types of slabs since it requires less concrete, less reinforcement and can be used to reduce the number of beams and columns .
The honeycomb pattern on the underside can add to the visual aspect of the ceiling by casting attractive shadow patterns.
This kind of of slab is majority used at the entrance of hotels, malls, restaurants for good pictorial view, including industrial and commercial buildings .
The main purpose of employing this technology is for its strong foundation characteristics of crack and sagging resistance.
Waffle slab also holds a greater amount of load compared with conventional concrete slabs.

CASTING PROCESS
The floor is cast over lightweight moulds or pans made of glass fiber, or steel. The moulds are very strong, lightweight and are capable of supporting all the normal loads encountered in building works.
The reinforcement in the ribs is laid in two directions to resist both longitudinal and transverse bending moments in the slab.

credit:
Bojo Ahmed

03/11/2024

What to know about BRC MESH!

B - British
R - Reinforcement
C - Cloth (i.emesh)

BRC mesh: also known as welded wire mesh or reinforcement mesh is a type of metal mesh used in construction to reinforce concrete structure.

BRC mesh helps to give lateral support and strengthens the ground floors thereby providing tensile resistance against cracks. However, the use of BRC mesh for German flooring regulates building settlement and enhances the strength and stability of the substructure - Benjineer

BRC Mesh consists of steel wires (typically 4-12 mm diameter), welded at intersections to form a grid pattern. Square or rectangular mesh sizes (e.g., 150x150 mm or 100x200 mm).

Types of BRC mesh
1. Electro-welded mesh (electrically welded)
2. Welded mesh (arc-welded)
3. Fabric mesh (woven wire mesh)

Functions of BRC Mesh
1. It reinforces concrete to increase tensile strength.
2. It reduces cracking and shrinkage.
3. It helps in improving durability and resistance to loads.
4. It enhances structural integrity. i.e it enhances strength and stability of substructure.
5. It's also used in ribbed slab design.

Applications of BRC Mesh
1. Concrete slabs (floors, foundations, roofs)
2. Walls (retaining, basement, or structural)
3. Beams and columns
4. Bridge construction
5. Highway pavement
6. Industrial flooring
7. Precast concrete products

Benefits of BRC mesh
1. Cost-effective
2. Easy to install
3. Versatile
4. High strength-to-weight ratio
5. Corrosion-resistant (when coated)

Standards and Specifications
1. ASTM A185 (American Society for Testing and Materials)
2. BS 4483 (British Standard)
3. EN 10016 (European Standard)
4. ISO 9001 (International Organization for Standardization).

Mode of Installation:
1. Place mesh within concrete formwork
2. Ensure correct spacing and alignment
3. Secure with wire ties or clips
4. Pour concrete to encase mesh.

13/10/2024

On the question of urban planners, it's important to know that because of the complexity of the act of planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure is, a lot of professionals are required to get involved. These professionals include but are not limited to Land Surveyors, Architects, Builders, Bricklayers and Masons, Welders And Metal Fabricators, Electricians, Plumbers, Painters, Interior Designers, Estate Managers, Surveyors, Construction Managers, Surveyors, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Engineers, etc.

Urban planners and civil engineers are also part of this long list. These two have complementary roles in the development of a new town, but they focus on different aspects of the planning process.

Urban Planners: They are responsible for the overall layout and zoning of the town. They consider land use, environmental impacts, housing needs, economic growth, and community welfare. Their goal is to create a functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing environment that meets the needs of its residents. If you look at our towns and cities, you will see the utter failure of our inability to engage with these professionals on a very large scale.

Civil Engineers: Once the town planners outline the vision and structure of the town, civil engineers step in to design and implement the necessary infrastructure. This includes roads, bridges, water supply systems, and sewage systems. They ensure that the physical structures align with the town planner's vision and work efficiently and safely.

So, civil engineers do not come in until urban planners have done their bit.

FOR YOUR BUILDING; DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, SUPERVISION & REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT,
CALL/ WHATSAPP:
Big-Tunnel Engineering Ltd : +2348160751017

13/10/2024

But what are these two fields really about?

Imagine you're planning to build a new town from scratch. Civil engineers are the masterminds behind the entire infrastructure—roads, bridges, water supply systems, sewage systems, and even public buildings. They consider the needs of the community, environmental impacts, and safety, all while ensuring that every element works together seamlessly. Civil engineering is all about the big picture, making sure that cities and towns function efficiently and sustainably.

At this point, someone might ask, what then is the role of town/urban/city planners if the above falls under the purview of civil engineers? I’ll address this in the comments to keep this post concise.

Let’s use another example. When planning a new highway, a civil engineer must consider not just the road itself, but also how it will connect to other roads, how drainage will be managed, how the landscape might affect the road, and how to minimize environmental disruption.

Now, if we zoom in on one particular aspect—the construction of a bridge. This is where structural engineering comes into play. Structural engineers focus specifically on the framework of structures, ensuring they can withstand the forces they will encounter, such as vehicle weight, wind, and earthquakes in some regions.

So, while civil engineers plan the overall project, structural engineers dive into the details, calculating how to make the bridge strong and stable.

Think of structural engineering as ensuring that the bones of a building or bridge are strong enough to support everything else. If civil engineering is about planning and organizing a town, structural engineering is about making sure each building in that town stands tall and firm.

Consider the construction of a skyscraper. A civil engineer would plan its location, ensure it fits within the city’s layout, and coordinate the various systems (water, electricity, waste) that will support the building, working with other professionals in the built environment such as architects, quantity surveyors, safety inspectors, and more.

The structural engineer, on the other hand, would focus on designing the skeleton of the skyscraper—choosing the right materials, determining the size and placement of beams and columns, and ensuring the building can withstand natural forces like wind or earthquakes.

As you can see, civil engineers and structural engineers often work closely together, even though their roles are distinct. Civil engineers take the broad view, focusing on the overall infrastructure, while structural engineers hone in on specific structures, ensuring they are safe, stable, and strong.

Understanding the difference between these two fields helps us appreciate how complex engineering is and how much collaborative effort is required to build the world around us. Unfortunately, in my experience, there’s often a lack of political will to allow professionals in the built environment to correctly plan our towns and cities. However, when you visit private estates in places like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and especially Bonny Island in the Niger Delta, you’ll be awed by how the collaboration between civil and structural engineers (alongside other professionals) results in something durable, functional and incredibly attractive.

FOR YOUR BUILDING DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, SUPERVISION, RENOVATION & REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT,
CALL/ WHATSAPP :
Big-Tunnel Engineering Ltd : +2348160751017

13/10/2024

Difference between Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering by Tosin Adeoti.

Civil engineering and structural engineering are closely related fields. In fact, it’s difficult to become a structural engineer without first being a civil engineer. That’s why the vast majority of structural engineers have degrees in civil engineering.

Typically, students enroll in a 5-year civil engineering degree program, and by their fourth year, they usually choose a specialty such as structural engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, or environmental engineering. It’s similar to a medical student deciding whether to specialize in pediatrics, cardiology, psychiatry, or another area by the time they graduate. That’s how it is with civil and structural engineering too.
Continue in the next post...

FOR YOUR BUILDING DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, SUPERVISION, RENOVATION & REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT,
CALL/ WHATSAPP :
Big-Tunnel Engineering Ltd : +2348160751017

15/09/2024

Today mark Engineer's day
Happy Engineers day to all the engineering family.
-Civil engineering
-Mechanical engineering
-Chemical engineering
-Electrical engineering
-Petroleum engineering
-Gas engineering
-Marine engineering
-Agricultural engineering
-Computer engineering
-Metallurgical engineering
-Genetics engineering
-Electronics engineering
-Nuclear engineering
Etc...
God bless the efforts of all the engineering team, because of your great contribution to the world.
Happy Engineers Day Once Again!

15/09/2024

Look at the attached pictures of the two blocks; the price difference is about 120 naira.

One is far stronger and more durable than the other.

Two contractors will quote for a building. One will use the inferior block, while the second, who has integrity and professionalism, will use the stronger one.

The first contractor's cost will be far lower than the second because of the cheaper block and other corner-cutting methods, from the concrete mix to the reinforcement and the foundation depth, among other compromises.

The client will give the project to the cheaper contractor and call the second one a professional thie*f.

Dear client, if you don’t want to give your work to a professional, that’s fine, but please don’t label them as thiev*es.

I want to let you know that you will not get the same result from your cheaper contractor.

We are not what you think we are. We are professional contractors who value durability and strength.

No other professional takes responsibility for their work like we do. Not even doctors, who tell you surgery is 50/50, or lawyers, who still collect payment after losing a case.

We pledge to design and build to last, and if anything goes wrong, we are accountable.

Let construction engineers work in peace.

22/08/2024

Many people do confuse between these two designated mix concrete grade.

C - is British Standard
C 15 - 1 : 3 : 6
C 20 - 1 : 2 : 4
C 25 - 1 : 1.5 : 3
C 30 - 1 : 1 : 2
C 35 - 1 : 1 : 1

M - is American Standard
M 10 - 1 : 3 : 6
M 15 - 1 : 2 : 4
M 20 - 1 : 1.5 : 3
M 25 - 1 : 1 : 2
M 30 - 1 : 1 : 1

Notes:
C - grade is British Standard and
M - grade denotes American Standard

C 15 is the same grade with M10, which is 1 : 3 : 6
C 20 is the same grade with M15, which is 1 : 2 : 4

Cylindrical and cube specimens are used to test concrete strength.

C 20 typical refers to a concrete mix with characteristic cylinder strength of 20 mega pascals (MPa) after 28 days of curing.

This designation is commonly used in European Standards and it's based on the compressive strength of the concrete.

As Nigerians, we use the British Standard for practice.

27/07/2024

CONTRACTOR GUIDELINES :

I would like to take a moment to teach you how to clarify your responsibilities when clients approach you to build for them.

I want you to understand that generating bills is not part of your job as a contractor.

As a contractor, your primary role is to transfer everything from the drawings to the site accordingly, provide quality workmanship, and complete the projects.

The billing process falls under the purview of the client, and it is their responsibility to pay for the materials and labor bill if they need one.

We understand that some clients may request that you generate bills for them, but tell them that is the work of a Quantity Surveyor, and they will need to pay if they need the service. The best you can do is to collect a minimum price.

In our experience, most clients tend to use the bills provided by contractors as leverage to negotiate with other contractors, and you will still not get the job with your bill.

If a client does request that you generate a bill, please advise them that this is not part of your job and that it is the work of a quantity surveyor.

Doing the work of an architect, structural engineer, and quantity surveyor combined is a sign that you are just a newbie in the sector.

You are destroying people profession by render thier job for free and also lower your own standard.

Clients will not respect you as a jack of all trades.

Even if you are the one to do it all, define the cost of each accordingly.

I hope you will understand this in time and not allow experience to teach you a lesson.

My advice from the Sprite Realms.

Your truly WOli the great builder.


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