Engineering Concepts in Civil Engineering

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of cracking in reinforced concrete?

Improper formulation of concrete

Excessive load on the concrete

High shrinkage on hardening (correct)

Inadequate curing time

What type of crack is characterized by an interconnected network of irregularly shaped polygons?

Block crack

Alligator crack (correct)

Craze crack

Random crack

What type of crack is typically perpendicular to the centerline and caused by temperature changes?

Transverse or temperature crack (correct)

Durability crack

Reflective crack

Alligator crack

Which crack type is caused by the freezing and thawing of unsound aggregates with high moisture content?

Durability (D) crack Signup and view all the answers

What type of crack is formed by shrinkage of the bound surface material and has nearly square shapes?

Block crack Signup and view all the answers

Roughly parallel crack series adjacent to concrete pavement joints is known as?

Durability (D) crack Signup and view all the answers

Which crack type shows little or no interconnection with other cracks?

Random crack Signup and view all the answers

What describes craze cracks in concrete surfaces?

Numerous fine cracks in a hexagonal pattern Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a berm in an earth bank or cutting?

To hold water for flood irrigation Signup and view all the answers

Which component is critical for understanding bending in beams?

Moment Signup and view all the answers

What does the Bernoulli equation express?

Energy conservation for fluids in motion Signup and view all the answers

What is a benchmark in surveying?

A relatively fixed point with a known elevation Signup and view all the answers

What function does a binder serve in construction materials?

To ensure uniformity and consistency when mixed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of bleeding in concrete can be beneficial?

Bleeding during compaction Signup and view all the answers

What role does a bidder play in the procurement process?

To submit proposals for the contemplated work Signup and view all the answers

What is a common use of a bituminous seal coat?

To waterproof and seal small voids Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a soldier pile?

An upright pile used to hold lagging Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the peeling away of a surface, particularly of portland cement concrete?

Spalling Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'spread footing' refer to in construction?

A footing used to support a single column Signup and view all the answers

What do specifications in a construction contract typically include?

Both B and C Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes soil stabilization?

Modification of soils to increase load bearing capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'steady flow'?

Flow that remains constant over time Signup and view all the answers

What are special provisions in a construction contract?

Authorized changes to standard specifications for a specific project Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'strand' refer to in construction materials?

A group of steel wires twisted together Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of curing freshly poured concrete?

To keep the concrete moist for proper hardening Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a concrete barrier on the sides of a bridge approach slab?

Dado Signup and view all the answers

What does the density index measure?

The ability to compact soil under load Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a diaphragm in a bridge context?

To connect girders and provide stiffness Signup and view all the answers

What process is described as reducing the concentration of soluble material by adding water?

Dilution Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of a divided highway?

Traffic in opposite directions separated by physical barriers Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the ability of a metal to undergo deformation without breaking?

Ductility Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a duct in construction?

To provide a space for pipes or cables Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a truss in construction?

To carry a roof or bridge Signup and view all the answers

What does uniform flow refer to in fluid dynamics?

Flow with constant depth, volume, and shape Signup and view all the answers

How does vibrated concrete differ from traditionally compacted concrete?

It requires less water for effective placing Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of uplift in the context of civil engineering?

An upward force on earth caused by soil saturation Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes varied flow from uniform flow?

Varied flow has changing depth along the water course Signup and view all the answers

Which type of tool is a vibrator in construction?

A device that vibrates to consolidate wet concrete Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of turfing in civil engineering?

To cover earth surfaces with grass for stabilization Signup and view all the answers

What is torque defined as in mechanics?

The twisting force applied tangentially on a shaft Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Berm

An artificial horizontal ledge on the side of a roadbed, used to ensure the stability of steep slopes.
Also used to hold water on land that is to be flood irrigated.

Beam

A horizontal structural member designed to resist loads that bend it.

Bearing

The supporting section of a beam, or the area where the beam rests on its support.
The compressive stress between a beam and its support (bearing pressure).
The horizontal angle turned between true north and a given line.

Bench Mark

A fixed point with a known elevation used as a reference point for leveling.

Bending Formula

Equation used for calculating the bending moment in beams.
Moment (M) = Stress x Modulus of Section, OR Moment (M) = Force x Arm

Bernoulli Equation

Energy equation for two points along the bottom of an open channel experiencing uniform flow.
P1 + V1^2 / (2g) + Z1 + W pump = P2 + V2^2 / (2g) + Z2 + hL + W turbine

Bidder

An individual or entity submitting a proposal for a construction project.

Binder

A material like cement, tar, bitumen, gypsum plaster, or lime used to provide consistency, solidification, or cohesion to other materials.
The clay or silt in gravel, or the cement rock used in construction.
A stirrup or steel rod used to hold together reinforcing steel in a reinforced-concrete beam or column.

Bituminous Seal Coat

A thin layer of bituminous material applied to a surface to seal and waterproof voids, and to embed sand or chips for better traction.

Bleeding

Separation of clear water from the cement paste in mortar or concrete.
Harmful when it occurs after compaction, as it weakens the bond between the concrete and the reinforcement.
Can be beneficial when it occurs during compaction, as it encourages good curing.

Cracking in Concrete

Expected in reinforced concrete due to its high shrinkage on hardening.
Cracks are usually covered by the reinforcement.
Contraction and expansion joints are constructed to reduce cracking.

Crack

Open seam, not necessarily extending through the body of a material.
Types of cracks in asphaltic or portland cement concrete include:
- Alligator Crack: Caused by fatigue of the asphaltic concrete surface layer or excessive movement of the underlying layers. Forms an interconnected network of irregularly shaped polygons.
- Block Crack: Caused by shrinkage of the bound surface material. Forms an interconnected network of nearly square shapes.
- Durability (D) Crack: Series of closely-spaced cracks parallel to pavement joints, caused by freezing and thawing of unsound aggregates with high moisture content.
- Random Crack: Crack that is not longitudinal or transverse and has little or no interconnection with other cracks. Caused by movement of the pavement structure or subgrade.
- Reflective Crack: Crack in the pavement surface caused by movement of a cracked underlying layer.
- Transverse or Temperature Crack: Long crack perpendicular to the centerline caused by longitudinal shortening of the surface layer.
- Craze Crack: Numerous fine cracks on the concrete surface in a hexagonal or octagonal pattern, caused by improper troweling.

Culvert

Covered channel or large pipe used to carry a watercourse below ground level.

Curing

Keeping freshly poured concrete or mortar damp for a specified time to allow the cement to harden properly.
Improves final strength of concrete, particularly at the surface, and reduces cracking or dusting.

Dado

Concrete barrier on the sides of bridge approach slab, or the part of a pedestal between the cap and base.

Datum

Any elevation taken as a reference point for leveling.

Deck

Flat roof, quay, jetty, or bridge floor, generally with no roof over it.
Formwork for a level surface.

Deformed Bar

Reinforcing bar with ridges to increase the bonding between the bar and concrete.

Density Index

Measure of the tendency for soil to compact during loading.
1 = very dense soil, 0 = very loose soil

Detour

Temporary route for traffic around a closed portion of a road.

Deviation

Difference between a value and the average of a set.

Diaphragm

Stiffening plate in a bridge between main girders or a stiffening web across a hollow building block.

Dilution

Reducing the concentration of a soluble material by adding water.

Distillation

Salt removal process from brackish or sea water by boiling and condensation.

Ditch

Long, narrow excavation for drainage, irrigation, or burying underground pipelines.

Divided Highway

Highway with separated traveled ways for traffic, generally in opposite directions.

Dredge

To dig or excavate underwater.

Duct

Protective tube, brick trench, or concrete corridor for pipes or cables through the ground.

Ductility

Ability of a metal to undergo cold plastic deformation without breaking.

Durability

Ability of materials to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion, or other conditions of service.

Dyke

Mound of earth along a river or channel bank to retain floodwater.
Large ditch.
Tabular-shaped igneous intrusion.

Easement

Right to use or control the property of another for designated purposes.

Soldier Pile

Upright pile used to hold lagging.

Soundness

Resistance to both physical and chemical deterioration.

Spalling

Peeling away of a surface, particularly of Portland cement concrete.

Span

Distance between the supports of a bridge, truss, arch, girder, floor, beam, etc.

Spillway or Wasteway

Overflow channel.

Spread Footing

Footing used to support a single column, also known as an individual column footing or isolated footing.

Specifications

Written or printed description of the construction work to be done, forming part of the contract.
Describes qualities of materials, mode of construction, dimensions, and other information not shown in drawings.
Includes bidding procedures, legal requirements, insurance requirements, material and workmanship requirements, inspection and testing procedures, and procedures for measurement and payment of the work.
Establishes obligations of the contracting parties.
Includes Standard Specifications and Special Provisions.

Special Provisions

Approved supplementary provisions, additions, revisions, or deletions to the standard specifications that may cover conditions peculiar to an individual project.

Soil Stabilization

Modification of soils or aggregates by incorporating materials that increase load bearing capacity, firmness, and resistance to weathering or displacement.

Standard Specifications

Current edition of the State's Standard Specifications for State Road and Bridge Construction.

Standard Deviations

Measure of variability calculated from the differences between individual measurements in a group and their average.

Steady Flow

Flow that does not vary with time.

Strand

A number of steel wires grouped together by twisting.

Street

General term denoting a public way for vehicular travel, including the entire area within the right-of-way.

Toughness

Resistance of a material to repeated bending and twisting.

Torque, Torsion, or Twist

Twisting effect of a force on a shaft applied tangentially.

Traffic Lane

Portion of a traveled way for the movement of a single line of vehicles.

Travel Lane

Right lane of a two-lane roadway with both lanes going in the same direction.

Traveled Way

Portion of the roadway for the movement of vehicles, excluding shoulders and auxiliary lanes.

Truss

Frame of steel, timber, concrete, or light alloy used to carry a roof or bridge, built up wholly from members in tension and compression.

Turfing

Covering of an earth surface with growing grass cut from another site.
Revetment to slopes made by laying turves.

Uniform Flow

Flow with a constant depth, volume, and shape along its course.

Uplift

Upward force on earth due to water leaking into a dam or from any point where water is under high pressure.
Lifting of a structure caused by frost heave, wind force, or swelling soil.

Varried Flow

Flow that has a changing depth along the watercourse. The variation is with respect to location, not time.

Vibrated Concrete

Concrete consolidated by vibration.
Requires less water for effective placing, resulting in stronger concrete.

Vibrator

Tool that vibrates at a speed from 3,000 to 10,000 rpm and is inserted into wet concrete or applied to the formwork to compact the concrete.

Types of Vibrators:

For precast work:
- Platform vibrators: small vibrators carried by one or two men moving up and down a pile or lamp post.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on essential civil engineering concepts like berms, beams, and the Bernoulli equation. This quiz covers important principles that govern structural stability and fluid mechanics. Perfect for students or professionals looking to brush up on their understanding of key topics in civil engineering.