24/06/2021
10 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CONSTRUCTING IN THE RAIN SEASON
Whereas rain does bring jubilations among farmers, it can prove a nightmare during construction. It presents a challenge to both materials and the structure and should thus find you at a certain level of preparation. Here are 10 things you should keep in mind when constructing in the rain season.
1-Hurried construction. Often engineers tend to rush things during the rain season due to the adverse impact rain has on the construction process hence compromises on the time component of construction and quality of the structure. For example enough time won't be allowed for curing. This, overtime affects the strength of the structure.
2- Erosion of some of the materials. Materials like sand when deposited at the site can easily be washed away by rain water reducing quantities and increases costs as you will have to bring more sand or risk scrupulous engineers using less ratios than required affecting structural strength. Bricks deployed around the sand to act as a buffer against rain water or digging water diversion channels should be applied to protect the sand.
3- Foundation water and mud logging. This softens the underlying ground causing structural change within the foundation. Time is hence wasted in scooping out the water and disintegrated soil which is always deposited around the foundation to obtain the initial foundation depth and structure. One should hence create water diverting channels approximately 2m from the foundation.
4- Covering existing works. When concrete has just been cast at the foundation or slab level and is still wet, the cement will be washed away from the upper layer of the concrete hence weakening the structure underneath. It becomes a mixture of stones and sand hence not strong enough for the structure to be erected on top, hence in the long run you have to remove the top layer if it wasn't covered and cast a fresh one. When rain mixes with motar, it becomes diluted and weakens the cement which is the binding material. Tapaulins and cement cover should be used to reduce the negative impact. Often when supervision on site is not adequate, the workers will run away from the site and leave the concrete exposed.
5-Cement-This is the most fragile material at site that needs to be kept as far away as possible from moisture. When it comes in contact with water, a chemical reaction is triggered even if it's...TO BE CONTINUED
