Civil Engineering Basics related to Terminology

• Sub-structure :-  Part of structure which is below the ground level is called substructure
• Super-structure :- Part of structure which is above ground level is super structure.
• Elevation – It’s the view which we can see when we stand right in front of the structure on any of the sides.
• Plastering – A cement, sand and water mix applied on brick wall for smooth surface for painting.
• Plinth level – The level on which the actual structure stands on.
• Riser – The vertical height of single step.
• Tread – The horizontal portion where we put our foot on which going on steps.
• Going – The inclined portion of stairs.
• Footing – The bottom most part of structure. These are categorized as Isolated footing, combined footing, Raft etc.
• Columns – The vertical members of structure .
• Clear cover – It’s the clear distance maintained from concrete face up to face of the reinforcement steel.
• Effective depth – It is the distance from top of the concrete face upto the CG of reinforcement.
• Singly reinforced section – A section of concrete member with reinforcement at only on tension face.
• Doubly reinforced section – A section of concrete member with reinforcement on both tension and compression side.
• Stirrups –Steel bent in closed shape of either Rectangular of circular shape. These are generally to hold column bars in position and also effective in shear carrying capacity.
• Cantilever beam – A beam with fixed support on one side and the other end is free.
• Propped cantilever – A beam with fixed support on one side and other end is with pinned support.
• Pedestal – When Length of the member is less than 3 times in width then its called pedestal.
• One way slab – When ratio of length to width is more than 2 its one way slab
• Two way slab – When ration of length to width is less than or equal to 2 , its two way slab.
• Slender column – when length to width ratio of column is more than 12 , then its slender column
• Plain cement concrete (PCC) – The cement concrete mix provided on the ground level over which foundations, beams are constructed. This is simply a levelling surface.
• Pile foundation – The foundation system with Piles i.e cylinder shaped reinforced concrete member.
• Frog – A small Depression on top of brick. This is for proper bonding with other bricks.
• Scaffolding – A temporary structure, when work needs to be carried out at higher elevations.
• Retaining wall – A wall constructed to retain earth.

Here is the link to List of Top civil engineering Interview Questions covering civil engineering basics

MYLEARNINGS IN BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF STRUCTURE

Any structure typically consists of following

1. Foundation
2. Columns
3. Beams
4. Slabs
5. Main Walls and partition walls.
6. Staircase
7. Flooring i.e tiles
8. Finishes – Plastering and Painting
9. Staircase
10. Boundary wall

CIVIL ENGINEERING BASICS

Civil Engineering basics are the basic parameters related to different Structures. All learnings in basics of civil engineering which all the engineers should know are

1. 25 Kn/ cum is unit weight of concrete
2. 78.5 Kn/ cum is unit weight of steel
3. 10 Kn/ cum unit weight of water
4. 1 cement bag is 50 kgs.
5. Standard size of brick is 19 cm X 9cm X 9cm
6. Piles Transfer the Loads by friction or by end bearing.
7. Slope of Stair shall not exceed 40 degrees.
8. Preferably limit the number of steps to 12 per flight
9. 1 cum Volume has 500 no of bricks.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

The Basic construction materials are

1. Cement
2. Aggregate

Cement :- Cement is basically obtained by grinding the stones containing lime and clay. Cement is the binder which helps in the bonding of cement, sand along with water.

Some of the very important types of cement are

1. Low Heat cement used generally in construction of dams.
2. Sulphate resisting cement used in corrosive type environment. Ex. Sewage contact surfaces
3. Rapid hardening cement
4. Quick setting cement