SOIL MECHANICS AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING 

IES SYLLABUS 

(a) Geo-technical Engineering : Soil exploration - planning & methods, Properties of soil, classification, various tests and inter-relationships; Permeability & Seepage, Compressibility, consolidation and Shearing resistance, Earth pressure theories and stress distribution in soil; Properties and uses of geo-synthetics.

(b) Foundation Engineering: Types of foundations & selection criteria, bearing capacity, settlement analysis, design and testing of shallow & deep foundations; Slope stability analysis, Earthen embankments, Dams and Earth retaining structures: types, analysis and design, Principles of ground modifications.

Click on the link below for further information about the topics : 

1. Soil Exploration 
2. Properties of Soil 
3. Soil Classification 
4. Permeability and Seepage
5. Compressibility
6. Consolidation and Shearing Resistance. 
7. Earth Pressure
8. Geo Synthetics. 
9. Foundation Engineering
10. Earth Retaining Structures. 
11. Ground Modification

Happy Reading

Please share your feedback and queries by commenting in the comment box below. 

Cold Weather concreting

1.  WHAT is Cold Weather? 

 Cold weather is defined as a period when the average daily temperature falls below 40°F [4°C] for more than three successive days. These conditions warrant special precautions when placing, finishing, curing and protecting concrete against the effects of cold weather. Since weather conditions can change rapidly in the winter months, good concrete practices and proper planning are critical.

2. Why Consider Cold Weather?

 In its plastic state, concrete will freeze if its temperature falls below about 25°F [-4°C]. If plastic concrete freezes, its potential strength can be reduced by more than 50% and its durability will be adversely affected. Concrete should be protected from freezing until it attains a minimum compressive strength of 500 psi [3.5 MPa], which is about two days after placement for most concrete maintained at 50°F [10°C]. Low concrete temperature has a major effect on the rate of cement hydration, which results in slower setting and rate of strength gain. A good rule of thumb is that a drop in concrete temperature by 20°F [10°C] will approximately double the setting time. The slower rate of setting and strength gain should be accounted for when scheduling construction operations, such as form removal.Cement hydration is a chemical reaction that generates heat. Newly placed concrete should be adequately insulated to retain this heat and thereby maintain favorable curing temperatures. Large temperature differences between the surface and the interior of the concrete mass should be prevented as cracking may result when this difference exceeds about 35°F [20°C]. Insulation or protective measures should be gradually removed to avoid thermal shock .

 3. How to place concrete in cold weather?

1. The ready mixed concrete producer can control concrete temperature by heating the mixing water and/or the aggregates 
2. Placing concrete in cold weather provides the opportunity for better quality, as cooler initial concrete temperature will typically result in higher ultimate strength. 
3. Slower setting time and strength gain of concrete during cold weather typically delays finishing operations and form removal.
4.  Chemical admixtures and other modifications to the concrete mixture can accelerate the rate of setting and strength gain. Calcium chloride is a common and effective accelerating admixture, but should not exceed a maximum dosage of 2% by weight of cement.
5.  Accelerating the rate of set and strength gain can also be accomplished by increasing the amount of portland cement or by using a Type III cement (high early strength).
6. The relative percentage of fly ash or ground slag in the cementitious material component may be reduced in cold weather but this may not be possible if the mixture has been specifically designed for durability.
7. Concrete should be placed at the lowest practical slump as this reduces bleeding and setting time.
8. Adequate preparations should be made prior to concrete placement. Snow, ice and frost should be removed and the temperature of surfaces and metallic embedments in contact with concrete should be above freezing. This might require insulating or heating subgrades and contact surfaces prior to placement.
9.  Materials and equipment should be in place to protect concrete, both during and after placement, from early age freezing and to retain the heat generated by cement hydration. Insulated blankets and tarps, as well as straw covered with plastic sheets, are commonly used measures.
10.  The concrete surface should not be allowed to dry out while it is plastic as this causes plastic shrinkage cracks.Subsequently, concrete should be adequately cured. Water curing is not recommended when freezing temperatures are imminent. Use membrane-forming curing compounds or impervious paper and plastic sheets for concrete slabs.

•  Cold Weather Concreting Guidelines 

1.  Use air-entrained concrete when exposure to moisture and freezing and thawing conditions are expected.
2.  Keep surfaces in contact with concrete free of ice and snow and at a temperature above freezing prior to placement.
3.  Place and maintain concrete at the recommended temperature.
4.  Place concrete at the lowest practical slump.
5.  Protect plastic concrete from freezing or drying
6.  Protect concrete from early-age freezing and thawing cycles until it has attained adequate strength.
7.  Limit rapid temperature changes when protective measures are removed

M.TECH ADMISSION IN NIT KURUKSHETRA

Well Guys,

As GATE is almost over now and I am certain that some of you might be thinking for taking admission in Mtech.

Some of you might have secured good ranks and it will be easy for them to secure seats in IITS. But I am also aware that their are also students like me who are unable to secure good ranks in GATE 2014 and so they have to go for NITS. This is the reason, I am writing the stuff here to help the students like me so that they can utilize their year for higher studies.  Well here I will try to help why one should choose NIT KURUKSHETRA for Mtech and similarly I would also like to tell you the reasons one must not choose NIT Kurukshetra.

Before starting, I would like to introduce myself first. I am about to complete my first year in Mtech Soil mechanics and foundation engineering (Civil Engineering) at NIT Kurukshetra so in some sense you can assume that am aware about the conditions in NIT Kurukshetra.

So now I start with some very basic points:

Location:

NIT KURUKSHETRA, at around a distance of 190 Km  from New Delhi. As kurukshetra is situated on NH 1, so it will be easy for students to visit Delhi in need. (Need here means for coaching)

even it is a regular trend here to join weekend coaching classes at Made Eazy and it is a usual trend here. Besides a good bus service connecting delhi and kurukshetra their is also train route between delhi and kurukshetra.

Also, I would like to mention the the distance between Chandigarh and kurukshetra. Chandigarh is nearly 90 Km away from kurukshetra. (thanks to the rash driving of Harayana roadways drivers, you may reach chandigarh earlier than expected)

As chandigarh is home to number of test centers, so if you are really a hard worker than you can save your complete day for your preparation.

CITY:

Kurukshetra is a religious city (helpful for those, whose preparation is based on God's grace ). It is home to India's tallest flag (Thanks to Navin Jindal, Kurukshetra MP, Yes the same coal guy. Of-course, he is patriotic ).

Brahmsarovar and Birla Mandir are two famous spot of kurukshetra. Yes their are lot of others too, but I really can't recollect the name. So you can easily go outside for a change in mood.

Economy:

Although tution fee for all the NITS is same but difference occurs due to Hostel Fee. I would like to add here that room rent is OK in NIT Kurukshetra but mess charges are on a bit higher side. Although students here are protesting for same but all their efforts have gone in to vain till now. Hope system will change soon due to addition in efforts due to guys like you.

I would also like to mention here that one can easily find a room for rent outside NIT campus and hence you can easily opt for a relatively economic option.

Environment:

 Environment is good. You can easily find a "Parantah" at 3.00 AM. Although this is not possible for girls. Campus is relatively small and one can easily visit market, Bank, Post-office, which are located n campus itself.

NIT campus is attached to Kurukshetra university campus and people here are used to visit Kurukshetra university market in evening as it is famous for .... (Guys you know what I mean).

Sports facility is available in the campus itself. 

A privately owned gym is also situated around 100 m from NIT campus. Many of the students are regular visitor of that location.

Civil Department:

Course work in Soil Mechanics is very low. And one can enjoy a lot if he is a student of soil mechanics. 

Structure, course work is up to mark. People are really doing Mtech in structure.

Water resource, Environment conditions are better then structures but legs behind the Soil Mechanics.

Transportation is similar to soil mechanics.

For other department I can also give some suggestions if required.

Feel free to ask anything.