Civil engineering: Masonry & Brickwork

• Civil engineering workshop presentation by Biniyam Teku covers various construction topics.

Masonry & Brickwork

• This is construction that uses bricks, blocks, or stones bonded with mortar.
• Masonry and brickwork provides structural strength and aesthetic appeal.

Construction Practices

• Involves preparing the foundation and ensuring it is level.
• Mixing mortar should be done with the correct ratio of cement, sand, and water
• Lay bricks in staggered patterns for strength, also known as bonding.
• Cleaning and finishing joints provides a neat appearance
• Curing the masonry mor strengthens the structure

Techniques and procedures

• Bonding uses patterns like Stretcher bond, English bond, or Flemish bond.
• Mortar mixing is the proper ratio of cement, sand, and water.
• Leveling and alignment requires using spirit levels and plumb bobs.
• Curing requires keeping the masonry moist for 7-14 days.

Tools and Equipments

• Trowel is used for applying and shaping mortar.
• Leveling is done using spirit levels to ensure walls are level and plumb.
• Plumb bob is for vertical alignment.
• Mason's hammer is for cutting bricks.
• Mortar mixer is for efficient mortar mixing.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect against mortar and dust.
• Use scaffolding or ladders safely when working at heights.
• Avoid overloading scaffolds with materials.
• Ensure proper ventilation when working in enclosed spaces.

Plumbing Works

• Plumbing is the installation of pipes, fixtures, and fittings for water supply, drainage, and gas systems.
• Plumbing ensures proper water flow and waste disposal.

Construction Practices

• Requires laying pipes for water supply and drainage systems.
• Involves installing fixtures like sinks, toilets, and showers.
• Testing pipelines is required to check for leaks and pressure.
• Connecting systems to main supply lines

Techniques and procedures

• Pipe cutting and joining uses tools to cut pipes and fittings like elbows, tees, and couplings.
• Use Sealing joints, by applying sealants or welding for leak-proof connections.
• Checking pipelines in Pressure testing is necessary for leaks and durability.
• Installation of fixtures ensures proper alignment and connection to water supply.

Tools and Equipments

• Pipe wrench is used for tightening and loosening pipes.
• Pipe cutter is for cutting pipes to size.
• Plumber's tape is for sealing threaded joints.
• Pressure tester is used used to check for leaks.
• Soldering kit joins copper pipes.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Wear gloves and safety goggles when cutting or soldering pipes.
• Ensure proper ventilation when working with adhesives or soldering materials.
• Use ladders or scaffolding safely when working at heights.
• Follow local codes and regulations for plumbing installations.

Metal & Wood Work

• This involves cutting, shaping, and joining metal or wood to create structural or decorative elements.
• Metal and wood work provides structural support and aesthetic finishes.

Construction practices and Site activities

• Cut and shape metal or wood to required dimensions.
• Weld or join metal pieces.
• Sand and finish wood surfaces.
• Install metal or wood components in structures.

Techniques and procedures

• Welding joins metal pieces, using arc welding, MIG, or TIG welding.
• Carpentry techniques such as cutting, shaping, and assembling wood pieces is integral.
• Finishing techniques such as Applying paints, varnishes, or polishes to wood or metal surfaces is key.
• Installation ensures Fixing components securely using screws, nails, or adhesives.

Tools and Equipments

• Welding machine joins metal pieces.
• Circular saw cuts wood or metal.
• Chisels and hammers shape wood.
• Clamps hold pieces in place during assembly.
• Sanding machine smooths surfaces.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and masks.
• Ensure proper ventilation when welding or using adhesives.
• Keep tools sharp and in good condition to avoid accidents.
• Follow electrical safety guidelines when using power tools.

Basic Electrical Installation

• This is setting up wiring, switches, outlets, and fixtures for power supply.
• Basic electrical installation ensures safe and efficient distribution of electricity

Construction practices and Site activities

• Lay electrical conduits and cables.
• Install switchboards, outlets, and fixtures.
• Connect circuits to the main power supply.
• Tesing circuits is required for functionality and safety.

Techniques and procedures

• Wiring includes running cables through conduits and connecting them to outlets and switches.
• Setting up circuits with proper load distribution is Circuit Installation.
• Testing requires using multimeters to check voltage and continuity.
• Grounding ensures proper safety.

Tools and Equipments

• Wire stripper is used to remove insulation from wires.
• Screwdrivers are used to fix outlets and switches.
• Multimeter tests circuits.
• Conduit bender shapes conduits.
• Insulation tape secures connections.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Always turn off power before working on circuits.
• Wear insulated gloves and shoes.
• Use tools with insulated handles.
• Follow local electrical codes and regulations.

Concrete Works

• This combines mixing, pouring, and curing concrete for foundations, slabs, and structures.
• Concrete works provides strength and durability to structures.

Construction practices and Site activities

• Prepare the site and formwork.
• Mixing concrete requires the correct ratio of cement, sand, and aggregates.
• Next is pouring and leveling concrete,
• Last is Curing the concrete to achieve strength.

Techniques and procedures

• Mixing ensures the correct proportion of materials.
• Pouring places concrete evenly into formwork.
• Compacting uses vibrators to remove air bubbles.
• Curing requires keeping the concrete moist for several days.

Tools and Equipments

• Concrete mixer mixes materials
• Vibrator compacts concrete.
• Trowel levels and finishes surfaces.
• Shovel handles concrete
• Fromwork shapes concrete.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Wear gloves, boots, and masks to protect against concrete dust.
• Use proper lifting techniques to avoid back injuries.
• Ensure formwork is secure before pouring concrete.
• Avoid direct contact with wet concrete to prevent skin irritation.

Finishing Work

• This applies the final touches to a structure, such as painting, tiling, and installing fixtures.
• Finishing work enhances aesthetics and functionality.

Construction practices and Site activities

• Prepare surfaces for painting or tiling.
• Apply paints, varnishes, or wallpapers.
• Install tiles, flooring, and decorative elements.
• Last, clean the site after completion.

Techniques and procedures

• Ensure Surface preparation by cleaning and smoothing surfaces.
• Paint evenly coats by Applying primer and paint coats evenly.
• Tiling fixes tiles with adhesive and grouting.
• Flooring installs carpets, wood, or tiles.

Tools and Equipments

• Paintbrushes and rollers apply paint.
• Trowel applies adhesive for tiles.
• Tile cutter cuts tiles to size.
• Sanding machine smoothes surfaces.
• Cleaning tools help for final site cleanup.

Safety practices and guidelines

• Wear masks and gloves when painting or tiling.
• Ensure proper ventilation when using paints or adhesives.
• Use ladders or scaffolding safely when working at heights.
• Dispose of waste materials properly.