Construction

Pools – A Review of Construction Styles

Construction blogger

Pools can be a great addition to your home, for entertainment or even raising the market value of your home. However, if poorly constructed, they can also become a money pit. Homeowners who are considering building one probably have no idea where to start. There are many options to consider when planning for your new recreational space, so it is easy to become confused, even before you begin making the actual building plans. It is important to take the planning stages one step at a time. Owners must consider how they plan to use the pool-will it be used for entertaining or exercise? First and foremost, the owner should make an effort to learn more about the different types of constructions available.

Aboveground pools: Generally, this style is made from a pre-fabricated kit. To install, you must first level the ground so that you can build on a flat surface. A perimeter track, which is made of metal, plastic, or wood, is then assembled to support the outer wall. Sand is spread around the area and plumbing is laid. The last step is to apply the liner to the walls. It is then filled with water while the liner is smoothed and fastened into place. Aboveground styles are cheaper, easier to build, and less permanent. They are also less durable and less attractive.

Fiberglass pools: Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is molded into a basin shape for this particular style. After the basin is made, crews dig a hole big enough to fit it and lay the plumbing. Sand may be spread as filler. Crews then lower the pool into the hole and level it out. The pool is ready to use after the plumbing is hooked up and the area is backfilled.

Vinyl-lined in-ground: This style is similar to the aboveground. Crews dig a hole, as with fiberglass pools. They then assemble a frame made from metal, wood, or plastic around the hole walls. Sand is laid at the bottom of the hole, and the lining is secured to the wall. This style is cheaper than standard in-ground styles, but not as durable, as the liner must be replaced every 10 year.

Gunite: As with the other in-ground styles, crews dig a hole, place plumbing and assemble a frame of steel rods. These rods are secured with wire, and then sprayed with a coating of gunite, which is a mixture of sand and cement. This mixture is smoothed with trowels. After the mixture sits for a week or more, workers apply a smooth finish to the surface. Gunite can be finished with any number of materials, such as tile, cement paint, or fiberglass. This style is durable, and can be made to any shape or size.

Poured-concrete and masonry-block: This style is like gunite, except concrete is actually poured into a wooden form instead of a frame made of steel rods. Pools made of masonry blocks are constructed with concrete blocks.

For pools, New Orleans residents rely on New Orleans Pool & Patio, Inc. Learn more at http://www.neworleanspoolandpatio.com.

Steps To Being Successful In Construction Jobs

Construction blogger

Constructions jobs have once again made way towards the top in the job market. Since the worldwide economy has recently undergone recession and is trying to recover, huge investments are taking place again in the field of infrastructure. This has resulted in the growth of job opportunities in the construction industry. Although there are certain hurdles in being successful in this job, such as the many challenges and risks involved, you can compensate for these by working hard and receiving very attractive salaries. There are some simple steps you should follow in order to be successful in construction jobs.

When it comes to the educational qualifications required for construction jobs, this varies with the kind of career under consideration. There are some careers within this industry that require specialized qualifications and there are others that do not require any special qualification. For instance, if you wish to become an architect, civil or electrical engineer, you will have to complete certain specialized degrees. For this purpose, you must plan everything in advance. The next most important step if you are employed at a manager level position in a construction firm is to build a sense of trust and confidence amongst your colleagues. You must possess very good leadership skills and be able to guide your subordinates in performing their functions in the most efficient manner.

When it comes to construction jobs, a manager should be able to effectively communicate the roles of each individual under his/her control. The workers must be explained in detail what is exactly required of them. As a manager, you can hold meetings on a regular basis to stay updates with the activities of the rest of the employees. These meetings should also be used to solve any issues, problems and confusions that the employees may be having regarding the tasks that have been assigned to them. Always remember to draw up a proper plan before the start of a project and stick to it unless some necessary amendments are required. The company’s resources must be directed towards the effective execution of the plan.

Another important requirement for construction jobs is to learn to adapt to the situation instead of changing it to suit you. There are a lot of challenges associated with change and as a manager, you should try to avoid these. Effective communication between the various employees of the company is also essential for the overall profitability of the company. If you maintain good links with your colleagues, they will feel more comfortable telling you about their problems and needs. The final step you need to follow is to work with honesty and utmost determination.

Half Year Report-construction Machinery Industry Overview

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www.cri-report.com – In January-June 2011, China’s construction machinery industry accumulatively achieved the total industrial output value of CNY 312.35 billion, ascending by 43.04% YOY, and realized the sales revenue of CNY 306.13 billion, increasing by 40.86% YOY.

In 2011 H1, the accumulative product output of China’s construction machinery industry continued growing. Except for special cement equipment whose output experienced substantial year-on-year decline, other products all maintained growth, especially for internal combustion folk lift products.

After China’s construction machinery market experienced the rapid growth in 2011 Q1, various sub-industries have seen an obvious decline in sales volume since April compared with March. In January-May 2011, the accumulative sales volume of excavators in China grew by 36% YOY; that of bulldozers grew by 21% YOY; that of loaders grew by 21% YOY. It has been an indisputable fact that the construction machinery industry has slowed down.

Although China’s construction machinery industry still has favorable prospects in 2011, the decline in growth rate is an inevitable trend. The main reason for the decline in prosperity of some products in the industry lies in credit crunch, whose influence on the industry is mainly reflected in 2 aspects: first, the downstream demand of the industry will be influenced. Construction of some projects under construction has decelerated due to credit crunch, and operation of projects which were originally planned to be operated has been delayed; second, the marketing efforts of enterprises will be influenced. In 2011 Q1, various construction machinery enterprises successively made more marketing efforts and increased the proportions of financial leasing and installment payment so as to seize market shares. Since April, some enterprises have enhanced risk control and decreased the proportion of credit sales.

In 2011, the global economy recovered gradually and the demand for construction machinery increased. The external demand will still grow, directly driving the construction machinery export market especially for the construction engineering machinery manufacturing industry. Although the base of global economic recovery is unstable, the situation of favorable global economy will be unchanged in 2011. The export environment of China’s construction machinery will continue improving and the export value is predicted to be resumed to the record high of 2008.

To get more details, please go to http://www.cri-report.com/278-chinese-construction-industry-report-2011h1.html

More following information can be acquired from this report:
-Operations of China’s Construction Machinery Industry, 2011 H1
-Operations of Sub-industries of China’s Construction Machinery Industry, 2011 H1
-Import and Export of China’s Construction Machinery, 2011 H1
-Prediction on Development of China’s Construction Machinery Industry, 2011 H2

Important Questions Answered- Water Feature Construction

Construction blogger

Okay, now to the practicalities. Before installing a water feature you need to ask yourself several important questions first: What is your budget? How much can you spend on the entire project? You could spend $3,000 on a water feature and find out you still need an additional $1,000-1,500 for plants and amenities, such as a deck, gazebo, walkways, fish or landscape lighting in the pond, waterfall and lawn. Other possible extras are a biological filter, auto-fill for pond, skimmer, back-flushable bio-filter, and more. How big is a water feature? If you are building your own, then structurally size is not that big an issue! I would charge the same price for a 3-foot high waterfall as I would for a 5-foot; the same for a 3 by 5-foot pond as a 4 by 6. There is only a $200 difference in cost between the 1,000 and 2,000 square feet of concrete shell surface. Your main concern about size should be space, not cost.

How much of your yard can you sacrifice? Even if the space between your house and the property line fence is limited, a water feature can be incorporated. Small ponds 1 to 3 feet deep can facilitate a sump pump located within the pond. Even though a sump pump is inexpensive, it consumes much more energy than an above-ground pump.

A pond any deeper than 3 feet requires an exterior pump for better accessibility and maintenance, and at a higher cost. But they pay for themselves in a short period of time with the energy savings. Also, larger ponds require greater filtration, more cleaning and maintenance. The size of the waterfalls will determine the size of the pump needed. The higher the waterfalls, the bigger the pump needed to supply the water and the greater the cost for electricity. Height creates head pressure which requires more energy and is the major factor in operating cost. How much entertaining will you do? Will you need a deck? If so, how big? You might consider placing a pond next to an existing deck. Many people do just the opposite, they build a pond and then construct a deck beside it. In this case, you can take advantage of an existing deck and construct an open stairway (stair-bridge) to span the pond. This affords unique access to the opposite side.

Will you have adequate room for table and chairs? Do you want a spa? Or a fire pit or barbeque? Enough lawn for games? Where do you spend most of your outdoor leisure time? That is the area for your waterfall! The waterfall will bring you the most enjoyment, therefore it should be located closest to the area where you plan to spend most of your time out of doors.

Do you want to see or hear the waterfall from indoors? Consider adding an exterior patio or French doors to your house to access your water feature area. Do you wish to have fish and other aquatic creatures? Long term, a properly maintained nitrogen cycle costs less than maintaining a pond that uses chlorine and other chemicals.

Fish, plants and proper bacteria are needed for healthy pond and nitrogen cycle. Once properly established, a healthy fish pond is virtually maintenance free. Are you willing to remove or replace certain trees or bushes to enhance the waterfall and pond? Some trees have very aggressive root systems that can literally move concrete as they grow, causing cracking and upheaval.

Civil Engineering Construction, Then And Now

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Civil Engineering is one of the oldest scientific disciplines known to man. Early signs of professional engineering can be traced back to 4000 BC with the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. The Egyptian pyramids till today remain a marvel to mankind, as to how in that day and age such massive structures could be constructed. With such precise calculations and engineering knowledge required they truly are wonders of the world. In those times with no electricity or heavy machinery at their disposal, getting huge rocks to move in their place with sheer manpower is an amazing feat in itself. More examples of early evolvement can been in the Indus valley civilizations where elaborate waterways and structures were built.

Since then civil engineering construction has evolved greatly. Today it has been further split into various multi disciplines such as structural engineering, geo technical engineering, environmental engineering etc. All these disciplines are core specializations in them selves and require in depth study. We today have heavy machinery at our disposal, which has helped the field evolve much faster. With machines available,loads of much heavier weight can be moved much faster.

The need for manpower has come down drastically as machines take on the task of many men single handedly. We have been able to build elaborate structures across difficult terrains, which would not have been possible earlier. Precision work has increased dramatically and has become increasingly easy. Machines of all types such as excavators, compactors, rollers, bulldozers, measuring instruments, cranes, dumpers etc. have been made available for different construction activities.

Lets talk about some of these important machines that changed the construction industry further in brief:

Excavators: An extremely important and widely used piece of machinery is used across a variety of industries such as construction, mining, forestry, demolition etc. The main purpose of the machine is to dig up earth fast. The mechanism of the machine consists of a boom, stick, bucket and cab sitting on top the main assembly also known as the house. Excavators are also available in 360 formats where they have an all round motion capability.

Cranes: Another very important piece of machinery that is used in its smaller format inside workshops too much larger projects involving bridge and skyscraper construction. All the skyscrapers we see today would not have been possible without the availability of cranes. The ability of a crane to move heavy material swiftly to great heights and horizontally is unparalleled by any other. Cranes have greatly reduced the time taken in construction and are responsible in a big way in fuelling construction growth seen over the last 150 years.

There are mainly 3 types of cranes overhead, fixed and mobile. Furthermore under mobile cranes there are various more varieties such as truck-mounted cranes, rough terrain cranes, floating cranes, rail road cranes, crawler cranes, pick and carry cranes etc. In the fixed type of cranes some of the following varieties exist such as tower crane, gantry crane, deck crane, loader crane, jib crane etc.

There are many more important pieces of machinery that we will look at in our next article.

You can see how over thousands of years civil engineering construction has evolved from mere chisels and hammers to sophisticated heavy machinery. How it has sped up the growth of the world and help us build elaborate cities and infrastructure that we use everyday.