Classification of Soil

Step A . Pass Soil sample through 75 micron sieve

More than 50 % soil sample retained : Coarse Grained Soil.

More than 50 % soil sample passing : Fine Grained Soil.

Step B. For Coarse Grained Soil.

i ) Pass the soil (retained on 75 micron sieve) through 4.75 mm sieve

More than 50 % soil sample retained : Gravel (G)

More than 50 % soil sample passing : Sand (S)

ii) Check the percent fines in the coarse fraction.

If Fines < 5 % -> Check Uniformity Coefficient and Coefficient of Curvature

Soil will termed as Poorly Graded and Well Graded.

GW, SW, GP, SP.

If Fines > 12 % -> Check the nature of Fines from A -Line as Given below.

Step C. For Fine Grained Soil

.

i) Check the Clayey Fraction and Silt Fraction based on the Grain Size. Assign the 

Prefix C and M Accordingly.

ii) Using Atterberg Limits, Arrive at the Suffix, L, I, H and accordingly assign the 

suffiix.

This more or less completes the classification part of the soil. Now We will move towards 

the Numericals Part.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NUMERICAL ON SOIL

CLASSIFICATION 

What is the difference between Marble and Granite ?

All the site Engineers use to face the same question during the construction phase. Here we will try to give few points of difference between marble and granite. 

Point No. 01 :- 

Granite is a silicious rock which implies that silica predominates in this stone. 

Marble is a Calcareous Rock which implies that Calcium Carbonate predominates in this stone.

Point No. 02 :- 

Granite due to its chemical composition is not affected by the process of weathering.  

Marble however is not that durable. Due to presence of Calcium Carbonate its durability depends on the surrounding environment. For example Taj Mahal in Agra is made up of White Stones which are believed to be deteriorating due to pollution. 

Point No. 03 :- 

Granite is more strong. Compressive strength of Granite varies from 75 N/mm2 to        127 N/mm2. 

Marble is comparatively less stronger. Its compressive strength is around 71 N/mm2. 

Point No. 04 :- 

Carving (नक्कासी ) is difficult in case of granite and the reason can be better understand in relation with the Point No. 03 Above. 

Carving is easy in case of Marble.  Probably this is the reason of choosing Marble in Historic Structures. 

Point No. 05 :- 

in Terms of Origin, Granite is an Igneous Rock. 

Marble is a Metamorphic Rock.

Point No 06 :- 

In General, Granite is more costly compared to Marble. 

These are the basic differences between Granite and Marble.

If you have any query related to this Topic feel Free to ask in the comment section below.

Thank you.


Click Here to read about other topics related to Building Material and Construction. 

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. 

BUILDING MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION

IES Syllabus 

Stone, Lime, Glass, Plastics, Steel, FRP, Ceramics, Aluminum, Fly Ash, Basic Admixtures, Timber, Bricks and Aggregates: Classification, properties and selection criteria;Cement: Types, Composition, Properties, Uses, Specifications and various Tests; Lime & Cement Mortars and Concrete: Properties and various Tests; Design of Concrete Mixes: Proportioning of aggregates and methods of mix design.

Click on the Topics Given below for further information :- 

1. Lime
2. Stone
3. Glass
4. Plastics
5. Steel
6. FRP
7. Ceramics
8. Aluminium
9. Fly Ash
10. Basic Admixtures
11. Timber
12. Bricks
13. Aggregates
14. Cement
15. Mortar
16. Concrete
17. What is the difference between Marble and Granite ?

Happy Reading. 

Please Share your feedback and queries in comment section below. 

SSC JE 2019 NOTIFICATION 

Staff Selection Commission has recently announced the notification for Junior Engineer Examination 2018. 

Relevant Details are as follows :- 

Last Date to Apply 25-02-2019

Complete Notification will be available on the Website from 1 Feb 2019 onwards. 

Exam Date has already been published in the Annual Exam Calender of SSC. 

Click Here to View the official Exam Calender of SSC. 

Click Here to View the Official Notification of SSC JE 2018 Exam. 

Click Here to Check the Cutoff of SSC JE 2017. 

Click Here for Exam Paper of SSC JE 2017. 

All other details will be posted here very soon. Stay Tuned. 

Comment your requirements in the Comment Section Below. 

SSC JE MARKS DISTRIBUTION ACROSS VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN OBJECTIVE PAPER OF 2016

We would like to welcome all the visitors who are currently reading this. Efforts are once again being made to analyse the objective paper of SSC Junior Engineer Exam 2016. Same efforts was also made for the objective paper of SSC JE 2012 but after that such efforts were not made by the Admin Team due to the various constraints. 

SSC JE 2017 is scheduled on 23 to 25 Dec 2017 and you all must be trying your level best to achieve the required cutoff percentage. For those, who have completed all the subjects already, it will be very easy to crack the exam. But still few peoples must be trying to cope up the time, which had been wasted by them. As we also belong to the second category of students, so we have an idea of their requirements. ☺ 

An analysis has been carried out by the Admin team for the objective paper of 2016. It is a well understood fact that pattern of paper remain more or less same so this type of marks distribution will help the students in prioritizing the subjects. 

Hope it is going to help you to either begin from the scratch or improve your position if you are already in the race. 

Please comment and share if enjoyed the post and content. Author will be highly indebted of your kind gesture.

SSC JE 2016 MARKS DISTRIBUTION ACROSS VARIOUS SUBJECTS IN OBJECTIVE PAPER. 

S.No.	Subject	Marks
1	Survey	11
2	Soil Mechanics	4
3	Fluid Mechanics	9
4	Open Channel Flow	1
5	Irrigation Engineering	2
6	Highway Engineering	1
7	Strength of Material	16
8	Concrete Technology	19
9	Reinforced Cement Concrete	9
10	Steel Structure	9
11	Environmental Engineering	2
12	Building Material & Construction	12
13	Estimation & Costing	5

Few Points to Ponder :- 

1. Survey :- Although majority of Questions asked were directly from Gupta and Gupta but one question was also asked from Transition curves. Made Easy Notes will help in this regard.

2. Soil Mechanics :- Only 04 Questions were asked from this subject. It seems that this evergreen subject is loosing its charm. But from practical aspects too, soil mechanics is not a very important subject for the jobs where you have to majorly deal with the construction activities. But still you must focus on this subject.

3. Fluid Mechanics :- One question was asked from pressure flow in pipes. Such question are bit harder side as far as Junior Engineer is concerned. Rest of the questions were easy in nature.

4. Open Channel Flow :- Only one question was asked from open channel flow and that too from Hydraulic Jump. 

5. Irrigation Engineering : Only 2 questions. Gupta and Gupta Level. 

6. Highway Engineering ;- One Question from Geometrical Design. 

7. Concrete Technology. : Questions were easy but you need to remember them. Level Gupta and Gupta. 

8. RCC :- Total 09 Questions. Majority of them were based directly on the provisions of IS 456 :2000. One question was also asked from prestress losses. 

9. Steel Structure : 09 Questions from rivets. 

10. Environment : 02 questions. That too from air pollution only. 

11. Building Material : Easy questions. You need to remember them. Gupta and Gupta will suffice. 

12. Estimation and Costing : Total 05 Question. One from Contract terminology. Rest were easy in nature. Gupta and Gupta will suffice. 

As of now I am terminating the post here itself but will enhance it further in coming one or two days by including the analysis of Objective paper of 2014 and 2015. 

Please feel free to suggest anything related to the post and also kindly promote the blog by sending the link to your dear ones. 

THANK YOU

 

Hot Weather Concrete Construction

 When the temperature of freshly mixed concrete approaches approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit adverse site conditions can impact the quality of concrete. Ambient temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the lack of a protected environment for concrete placement and finishing (enclosed building) can contribute to difficulty in producing quality concrete.

 The precautions required to ensure a quality end product will vary depending on the actual conditions during concrete placement and the specific application for which the concrete will be used. In general, if the temperature at the time of concrete placement will exceed 77 degrees Fahrenheit a plan should be developed to negate the effects of high temperatures.

 The effect of high ambient temperatures and high temperature concrete component materials have on the setting time of concrete mixtures is a topic of concern due to the reduced time in which concrete must be placed, consolidated and finished; increased potential for plastic shrinkage cracking, thermal cracking and cold joints; potential strength reduction due to high water demand and high curing temperatures; difficulty in controlling air content; and increased urgency for applying appropriate curing method at an early age.

 As a general rule of thumb an increase of 20 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce the setting time of a concrete mixture by as much as 50 percent. As an example, a concrete mixture that reaches final set in three hours at 60 degrees Fahrenheit may reach final set in as little 1½ hours at 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As the concrete temperature increases the setting time is further reduced. The actual temperature of the concrete mixture as delivered is effected by the temperature of the materials used in the mixture, the cementitious content of the mixture, the temperature of the equipment used to batch and transport the concrete, and the ambient temperature and conditions at the project site. Concrete applications may be considered hot weather concrete at temperatures ranging from 77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the specific application. Precautions should be planned in advance to counter the effects of high temperature well in advance of execution to counter these effects.

 Precautions may include use of materials with a good performance history in high temperature conditions, cool concrete materials or concrete mixture, provide concrete consistency and placement equipment and crew for rapid placement, reduce time of transport, schedule placement to limit exposure to atmospheric conditions (night time placement or more favorable weather), plan to limit rapid moisture loss (sun screens, wind screens, misting, or fogging), and consider the use of an evaporation retarder. Schedule a preconstruction meeting including all of the participants to discuss the plan to control the effects specific to the project and expected conditions. 

 The precautions may include some or all of the following:

•  Moisten subgrade, steel reinforcement, and form work prior to concrete placement.
•  Erect temporary wind breaks to limit wind velocities and sunshades to reduce concrete surface temperatures.
•  Cool aggregates and mixing water added to the concrete mixture to reduce its initial temperature. The effect of hot cement on concrete temperature is only minimal. 
• Use a concrete consistency that allows rapid placement and consolidation.
•  Protect the concrete surface during placement with plastic sheeting or evaporation retarders to maintain the initial moisture in the concrete mixture.
•  Provide sufficient labor to minimize the time required to place and finish the concrete, as hot weather conditions substantially shorted the times to initial and final set.
•  Consider fogging the area above the concrete placement to raise the relative humidity and satisfy moisture demand of the ambient air.
•  Provide appropriate curing methods as soon as possible after the concrete finishing processes have been completed.
•  In extreme conditions consider adjusting the time of concrete placement to take advantage of cooler temperatures, such as early morning or night time placement.
•  The use of liquid nitrogen is one option to reduce concrete’s temperature during hot-weather concreting.
•  Modify concrete mix designs as appropriate. Retarders, moderate heat of hydration cement, pozzolanic materials, slag, or other proven local solutions may be used. Reduce the cement content of the mixture as much as possible, while ensuring the concrete strength will be attained
• Limit the addition of water at the job site.

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

 

 

SSC JUNIOR ENGINEER EXAMINATION

Candidates may refer to the notice of Junior

Engineers(Civil/Mechanical/Electrical and Quantity Surveying and Contract)Examination 2014 published in the Employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated 01-03-2014 and the Corrigendum issued on 28-04-2014.

Written examination of Paper-II will be held on 18-01-2014 Forenoon Session

As every one of you are searching the previous year conventional Papers of SSC JE,

I am hereby attaching the papers of Civil Engineering.

Kindly click on the link to download the papers

Download SSC JE Civil Engineering Conventional Papers