Engineering
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Elementary analysis for width/height ratio of retaining masonary structure
In masonry construction, one of the key challenges is ensuring the stability of structures against lateral forces, such as those caused by wind, water, or soil pressure. Unlike materials like steel or reinforced concrete, masonry is inherently weak in resisting tensile forces. As a result, masonry structures rely primarily on their weight to counteract these…
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Kites in advancing science experiments
Kites are one of the oldest and most versatile inventions in human history, tracing their origins to ancient China around 2000 years ago. Initially a simple toy or ceremonial object, the kite evolved to play significant roles in military, meteorological, and scientific fields. Early kites were used in military applications, as tools for signalling, measuring…
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Simple analysis of stress on pelvic muscle while riding a bicycle
Cycling is a popular activity that most of us have experienced at some point in our lives. However, if you’ve taken a long break from it and then hopped back on the bike, you may have noticed discomfort or even pain in the pelvic region. This is something I encountered after my recent cycling tour,…
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Leaching and Efflorescence of concrete
In structures such as dam where the flow of water via pores of concrete is high, there could be significant loss of mono-sulfate and ettringite and decalcification of calcium silicate hydrate due to leaching out of these salts to the surface and subsequently washing away. This will lead to reduction in strength of concrete and…
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Health of reinforced concrete structure based on construction quality
Reinforced concrete (RC) structures exhibit significant variability during construction, primarily due to the in-situ casting process. This method introduces numerous factors that can affect quality. As Richard Feynman wisely noted, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.” This insight is particularly relevant in the construction…
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Can virtual power plants optimize energy distribution?
Unlike traditional power plants, which are typically characterized by large physical infrastructure such as coal trains, smokestacks, and turbines, virtual power plants (VPP) rely on decentralized energy resources. These resources include rooftop solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, and smart appliances, all of which are integrated into a system that operates without a central physical facility.…
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Impact of bad formwork of concrete in its service life
Formwork plays a vital role in reinforced concrete (RC) design, providing support for the concrete until it gains adequate strength. Its complexity can range from simple cubic boxes to intricate spline surfaces. While formwork design is a specialized area of concrete engineering, this article focuses on how poor formwork affects the service life of RC…
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Pull out test in concrete
The bond between concrete and steel is a crucial factor in structural integrity. As concrete ages, this bond often weakens. This article outlines the procedure for conducting a pull-out test to evaluate bond strength. In tests with plain rebars, the maximum load typically coincides with the moment of initial slip. In contrast, deformed bars can…
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Bonding behaviour in ASR affected concrete
Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) has been found to deteriorate the bond between steel and concrete. This article will discuss if this is true. What is Alkali Silica Reaction? The Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) is a chemical reaction that occurs between alkaline substances in cement and reactive silica found in some aggregates used in concrete. When…