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Innovative companies around the world are looking to bring more technology to the workplace by focusing on innovating existing equipment. It is easy to think of wearable technology as simply a commodity, used for greater connectivity with the online world, or a tool to track one's physical state. Although it is true, wearables are slowly leaking into the professional sphere, and can actually provide the construction industry with a number of benefits. The impact of cloud technology and mobile devices, wearables are becoming more common in construction, and in the coming years, their use can be extended. Here are some examples of how wearable technology can play a great role in construction industry. Smart Helmets One of the important equipment at construction field is helmet. In this modern technology, Smart helmets are providing a number capabilities that enhance security in multiple ways for users at work place. A company in California, has developed an updated ...

Millions of people work at tens of thousands of construction sites across the nation daily. The fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average for all industries. Here are the few safety precautions to be taken on construction site. Main potential hazards for construction workers are: Fall from height  Trench collapse  Scaffold collapse  Improper ladders   Fall from height Fall from height is one of the leading causes of worker deaths in construction. Employers need to implement fall protection systems to protect workers, For example, by providing adequate number of safety harnesses, employing safety officers for regular inspections etc. Workers should familiarize themselves with all potential fall hazards on a job site. They should never work in an area where fall protection systems are not there. Workers using personal fall arrest systems should inspect them before each use to ensure that they are free...

Sustainable Design is important for our Mother Earth. One of the important focus of Sustainable Design is to preserve the natural resources and use them with caution so as to protect our Mother Earth from devastation.   The above definition is based on two concepts: The concept of needs, comprising of the conditions for maintaining an acceptable life standard for all people and The concept of limits of the capacity of the environment to fulfil the needs of the present and the future, determined by the state of technology and social organization.   Architecture and Sustainability Factors Architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of sustainability. Building construction typically consumes large quantities of materials while producing tons of waste. It sometimes involves comparing the preservation of buildings of historical significance with new developments. Sustainable construction may therefore be defined as “creation and responsible ma...

There are different types of foundations for building construction and the selection of a particular type depends on soil conditions and loads from the structure. It is advisable to know the suitability of the chosen type of foundation before making any decision on its selection. The selection of a particular type of foundation is often based on a number of factors, such as: ADEQUATE DEPTH The foundation depth depends on the following factors: Getting an adequate allowable bearing capacity of subsoil. For clayey soils, depth should be below the zone where shrinkage and swelling due to seasonal weather changes are likely to cause appreciable soil movements. For fine sands and silts, founding depth should be below the frost zone. For bridge piers, the maximum depth of scour should be considered with the foundation located sufficiently below this depth. Depth of foundation shall be at least below the top soil, miscellaneous fill, vegetation i.e approximately 300 mm...

Sustainable (structural) design refers to integration of social, environmental and economic considerations into product, process and energy system design. Sustainable engineering encourages the consideration of the complete product and process lifecycle during the design with the purpose of minimizing environmental impacts over the (structure) lifecycle while simultaneously maximizing social and economic benefits.   Sustainable Design requires efficient planning & designing sustainable structures, for example, buildings & infrastructure, to maximize their contribution to the environment. This can be achieved in various ways some of which are by green architecture, performance-based structural design, energy systems, smart electrical grids, waste water treatment, renewable power generation etc. Aim should be to focus on materials in order to get an understanding of the effect it will have on life and environment. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmenta...

Civil engineers can be broadly categorised into consulting engineers and contracting engineers. Consultants are responsible for the design work of projects and work mainly in offices. Contractors, on the other hand, take the designs and implement them during construction. Contractors work on site, managing the construction of the structure.  Depending on whether the civil engineer is a consultant or a contracting engineer, work activities can differ. A consulting civil engineer may be required to: Undertake technical studies, feasibility studies, geotechnical investigations. Develop detailed designs. Assess, study, mitigate/eliminate the potential risks of specific projects, as well as undertake risk management in specialist roles. Supervise tendering procedures and prepare bids. Manage, supervise and visit contractors on site and advise on civil engineering issues. Oversee works of junior staff, mentor young civil engineers. Liaise with colleagues and architects, su...

Structural Engineering  Structural engineering is a subdivision of civil engineering where in structural engineers are trained to understand, predict and calculate the stability, Strength and rigidity of built structures for buildings and non-buildings structures. The role of the structure engineer is a very important key in the construction process. Structural engineering is concerned with the design and physical integrity of buildings and other large structures like tunnels and bridges. Structural engineering design utilizes a number of relatively simple structural elements to build complex structural systems. Structural engineering is founded on the principles of physics and mathematics. Structural engineering is important because it directly impacts the safety and durability of buildings and structures. For example it is structural engineering that allows for an accurate estimation of safe weight maximum on bridges, a warehouse or facility can with stand or th...