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Waffle Slab Foundation
The Wafflemat foundation system, also called a waffle slab foundation, is an above-ground mat foundation used to provide load-bearing capacity on expansive, rocky, compressible, or hydro collapsible soils. The slab is created by placing a series of plastic forms ("Waffleboxes") that are either in height, and in plan, directly on grade to create a waffle-like grid of ribs, and then monolithically pour a post-tensioned reinforced concrete slab over the Waffleboxes. The completed slab then sits on the ground as a 'raft', with the void areas underneath the slab allowing for soil movement. The waffle slab is very stiff, with the cross section providing the needed strength to resist differential swelling resulting from landscaping practices, surface drainage, or flooding from any source. It does not require presoaking underlying soil pads, and there is no need for footings, meaning no earth spoils. And, since the slab section is typically above grade, it typically does not require a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Foundation (engineering)
In engineering, a foundation is the element of a structure which connects it to the ground, transferring loads from the structure to the ground. Foundations are generally considered either shallow or deep. Foundation engineering is the application of soil mechanics and rock mechanics (geotechnical engineering) in the design of foundation elements of structures. Purpose Foundations provide the structure's stability from the ground: * To distribute the weight of the structure over a large area in order to avoid overloading the underlying soil (possibly causing unequal settlement). * To anchor the structure against natural forces including earthquakes, floods, droughts, frost heaves, tornadoes and wind. * To provide a level surface for construction. * To anchor the structure deeply into the ground, increasing its stability and preventing overloading. * To prevent lateral movements of the supported structure (in some cases). Requirements of a good foundation The design and the c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Structural Engineering
Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering in which structural engineers are trained to design the 'bones and muscles' that create the form and shape of man-made structures. Structural engineers also must understand and calculate the stability, strength, rigidity and earthquake-susceptibility of built structures for buildings and nonbuilding structures. The structural designs are integrated with those of other designers such as architects and building services engineer and often supervise the construction of projects by contractors on site. They can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, and vehicles where structural integrity affects functioning and safety. See glossary of structural engineering. Structural engineering theory is based upon applied physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design uses a number of relatively simple structural c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Post-tensioned Concrete
Prestressed concrete is a form of concrete used in construction. It is substantially "prestressed" ( compressed) during production, in a manner that strengthens it against tensile forces which will exist when in service. Post-tensioned concreted is "structural concrete in which internal stresses have been introduced to reduce potential tensile stresses in the concrete resulting from loads." This compression is produced by the tensioning of high-strength "tendons" located within or adjacent to the concrete and is done to improve the performance of the concrete in service. Tendons may consist of single wires, multi-wire strands or threaded bars that are most commonly made from high-tensile steels, carbon fiber or aramid fiber. The essence of prestressed concrete is that once the initial compression has been applied, the resulting material has the characteristics of high-strength concrete when subject to any subsequent compression forces and of ductile high-strength steel when subje ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Concrete Slab
A concrete slab is a common structural element of modern buildings, consisting of a flat, horizontal surface made of cast concrete. Steel- reinforced slabs, typically between 100 and 500 mm thick, are most often used to construct floors and ceilings, while thinner ''mud slabs'' may be used for exterior paving . In many domestic and industrial buildings, a thick concrete slab supported on foundations or directly on the subsoil, is used to construct the ground floor. These slabs are generally classified as ''ground-bearing'' or ''suspended''. A slab is ground-bearing if it rests directly on the foundation, otherwise the slab is suspended. For multi-story buildings, there are several common slab designs : * Beam and block, also referred to as ''rib and block'', is mostly used in residential and industrial applications. This slab type is made up of pre-stressed beams and hollow blocks and are temporarily propped until set, typically after 21 days. * A hollow core slab which i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Landscaping
Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an area of land, including the following: # Living elements, such as flora or fauna; or what is commonly called gardening, the art and craft of growing plants with a goal of creating a beauty within the landscape. # Natural abiotic elements, such as landforms, terrain shape and elevation, or bodies of water. # Abstract elements, such as the weather and lighting conditions. Landscaping requires a certain understanding of horticulture and artistic design, but is not limited to plants and horticulture. Sculpting land to enhance usability (patio, walkways, ponds, water features) are also examples of landscaping being used. When intended as purely an aesthetic change, the term Ornamental Landscaping is used. Often, designers refer to landscaping as an extension of rooms in your house (each one has a function). Outdoor spaces have a vast amount of flexibility as far as materials and function. It is often said the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flooding
A flood is an overflow of water ( or rarely other fluids) that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. Floods are an area of study of the discipline hydrology and are of significant concern in agriculture, civil engineering and public health. Human changes to the environment often increase the intensity and frequency of flooding, for example land use changes such as deforestation and removal of wetlands, changes in waterway course or flood controls such as with levees, and larger environmental issues such as climate change and sea level rise. In particular climate change's increased rainfall and extreme weather events increases the severity of other causes for flooding, resulting in more intense floods and increased flood risk. Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such as a river, lake, or ocean, in which the water overtops or breaks levees, resulting in some of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
International Building Code
The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). It has been adopted for use as a base code standard by most jurisdictions in the United States. The IBC addresses both health and safety concerns for buildings based upon prescriptive and performance related requirements. The IBC is fully compatible with all other published ICC codes. The code provisions are intended to protect public health and safety while avoiding both unnecessary costs and preferential treatment of specific materials or methods of construction. However, a 2019 ''New York Times'' story revealed a secret agreement with the National Association of Home Builders that allowed the industry group, which represents the construction industry, to limit improvements in the code that would make buildings more environmentally sustainable and resistant to natural disasters, prompting a congressional investigation. The ICC, in response to a Congressional inquiry, v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Post-Tensioning Institute
The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the quality, safety, efficiency, profitability, and use of post-tensioning systems. PTI's manuals and technical guides provide guidance on the design, construction, maintenance, and repair/rehabilitation of post-tensioned concrete structures. Additionally, PTI aims to ensure that specifiers and purchasers of post-tensioning materials receive products and services that meet a standard of quality through its plant and field personnel certification programs. Members of the Institute include major post-tensioning companies, as well as more than 500 professional members, engineers, architects, and contractors from around the globe. History PTI was founded in {{start date and age, 1976, p=y. Members of the Institute include major post-tensioning materials fabricators, Material manufacturers for prestressing, and companies supplying materials, services, and equipment used in post-tensioned construction ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Waffle Slab
A waffle slab or two-way joist slab is a concrete slab made of reinforced concrete with concrete ribs running in two directions on its underside. The name ''waffle'' comes from the grid pattern created by the reinforcing ribs. Waffle slabs are preferred for spans greater than , as they are much stronger than flat slabs, flat slabs with drop panels, two-way slabs, one-way slabs, and one-way joist slabs. Description A waffle slab is flat on top, while joists create a grid like surface on the bottom. The grid is formed by the removal of molds after the concrete sets. This structure was designed to be more solid when used on longer spans and with heavier loads. This type of structure, because of its rigidity, is recommended for buildings that require minimal vibration, like laboratories and manufacturing facilities. It is also used in buildings that require big open spaces, like theatres or train stations. Waffle slabs are composed by intricate formwork, and may be more expensive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
