BUILDING CONSTRUCTION by S. C. Rangwala Revised and Enlarged by K. S. Rangwala and P. S. Rangwala

Part I : ELEMENTARY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Chapter 1   : FOUNDATIONS

Chapter 2   : DEEP EXCAVATIONS

Chapter 3   : STONE MASONRY

Chapter 4   : BRICK MASONRY

Chapter 5   : SCAFFOLDING, SHORING AND UNDERPINNING

Chapter 6   : DAMP-PROOFING, WATER LEAKAGE AND TERMITE-PROOFING

Chapter 7   : STRUCTURES IN BRICKWORK

Chapter 8   : PARTITIONS

Chapter 9   : CEMENT CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION

Chapter 10 : ARCHES

Chapter 11 : LINTELS

Chapter 12 : DOORS AND WINDOWS

Chapter 13 : CARPENTRY AND JOINERY

Chapter 14 : STAIRS

Chapter 15 : ROOFS

Chapter 16 : FLOORS AND FLOORINGS

Part II : ADVANCED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Chapter 1 : PILE FOUNDATIONS

Chapter 2   : ACOUSTICS

Chapter 3   : FIRE PROTECTION IN BUILDINGS

Chapter 4   : COFFERDAMS

Chapter 5   : CAISSONS

Chapter 6   : MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS

Chapter 7   : FORMWORK

Chapter 8   : POINTING AND PLASTERING

Chapter 9   : PAINTING, VARNISHING, DISTEMPERING, ETC.

Chapter 10 : STRUCTURAL STEELWORK

Chapter 11 : VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING

Chapter 12 : CPM AND PERT

Chapter 1 : FOUNDATIONS

General Definition Objects of foundations General inspection of site Examination of ground
	Test pits Probing Auger boring Wash boring Sub-surface soundings Test piles Deep boring Geophysical method Choice of the method
Bearing power of soil Methods for determining the bearing capacity of soil
	Method of loading Plate load test Method of dropping a weight or penetration test Analytical methods Presumptive values of bearing capacity of soils
Loads on foundations
	Dead load Live load Wind load
Essential requirements of a good foundation
	Location Stability Settlement
Shallow foundations Design of shallow foundations
	Width of foundations Depth of foundations
Increasing the bearing power of soil
	Increasing depth of foundation Compacting soil Drainage of soil Sheet piles Sand piles Grouting Chemical treatment
Special foundations
	Grillage foundations Raft foundations Inverted arches
Eccentric loading on foundation Combined footing Cantilever footing Continuous footing Foundations of black cotton soil Under-reamed piles Types of under-reamed piles Stepped foundations Foundations on reclaimed soil or made-up ground Foundations on cavities and old wells Foundations near existing adjacent old structures Foundations for machines
	Static load Kinetic load
Causes of failure of foundations and measures to prevent such failures
	Unequal settlement of the sub-soil Unequal settlement of the masonry Withdrawal of moisture from the sub-soil Lateral pressure on the superstructure Horizontal movement of the earth Transpiration of trees and shrubs Atmospheric action
Method of setting out the foundation trenches Questions Top>>

Chapter 2 : DEEP EXCAVATIONS

Definition Problems of deep excavations Some terms in timbering
	Sheeting Ranger or wale Strut Bracing
Methods of timbering
	Stay bracing Box sheeting Vertical sheeting Runners Sheet piling
Precautions to be taken during timbering
	Slip of earth Testing of struts Sagging of wales Movement Removal Safety helmets Ladders Traffic Tools Supervision Adjacent structures Shelter Fencing and lights Spacing and sizes of members
Dewatering of the foundation trenches Pumping Providing sumps and side drains Cement grouting
	Holes Cement grout Working on soft soil Progress of work Inspection of adjacent holes and surfaces
Well-point system
	Essential parts Process Types Precautions
Chemical process or chemical grouting
	Types of chemical grouts Methods of chemical grouting Advantages of chemical grouting Suitability
Freezing process
	Advantages of freezing process Limitations of freezing process
Electro-osmosis process Questions Top>>

Chapter 3 : STONE MASONRY

Definition Materials required for stone masonry
	Stones Mortar
Some definitions
	Natural bed Sill Corbel Course Cornice Coping Weathering Throating Plinth String course Lacing course Spalls Quoins Bond Through stone Jambs Reveals Heads Stoolings Lable Apex Skew corbel Kneeler Springer Finial Buttress Pilaster Face Facing Back Backing Hearting
Joints in stone masonry
	Butt or square joint Rebated or lapped joint Tongued and grooved joint Tabled joint Saddled or water joint Rusticated joint Plugged joint Dowelled joint Cramped joint
Classification of stone masonry Rubble masonry
	Coursed rubble masonry Uncoursed rubble masonry Random rubble masonry Dry rubble masonry Polygonal rubble masonry Flint rubble masonry
Ashlar masonry
	Ashlar fine masonry Ashlar rough-tooled masonry Ashlar rock or quarry faced masonry Ashlar chamfered masonry Ashlar block-in-course masonry
Safe permissible loads on stone masonry Tools used in stone masonry Dressing of stone surfaces
	Self-faced or rock-faced or quarry-faced finish Scabbling finish Hammer-dressed finish Axed finish Tooled finish Punched finish Furrowed finish Reticulated finish Vermiculated finish Boasted or droved finish Plain finish Chisel-draughted margins Dragged or combed finish Rubbed finish Sunk finish Circular finish Moulded finish Polished finish
Appliances for lifting stones
	Chain or rope Chain dog Nippers or tongs or pincers Lewis Pins
Points to be observed while supervising the stonework Questions Top>>

Chapter 4 : BRICK MASONRY

General Size and weight of bricks Some definitions
	Stretcher Header Arrises Bed Bed joint Perpends Lap Closer Bat Bullnose Cownose Squint quoin Frog Racking back Toothing
Types of brick masonry
	Brickwork in mud Brickwork in c.m. or l.m. I class Brickwork in c.m. or l.m. II class Brickwork in c.m. or l.m. III class
Safe permissible loads on brick masonry Tools used in brick masonry Bonds in brickwork
	Stretcher bond Header bond English bond Flemish bond Garden-wall bond Raking bond Dutch bond Brick on-edge bond English cross bond Facing bond
Bonds at connections Junctions
	Right-angled junction Squint junction
Quoins
	Right-angled or square quoins Squint quoins
Thickness of walls in brickwork
	Load Overall height Height between floors Length Strength of materials
Points to be observed while supervising the brickwork Defects in brick masonry
	Corrosion of embedded fixtures Crystallization of salts from bricks Shrinkage on drying Sulphate attack
Cracking in brick masonry walls
	Design of foundations Expansion joints Isolation joints Quality of concrete Sliding joints Slip planes Spans
Comparison of brickwork and stonework Composite masonry Questions Top>>

Chapter 5 : SCAFFOLDING, SHORING AND UNDERPINNING

General Scaffolding
	Definition
Component parts of a scaffolding Types of scaffolding
	Single scaffolding or bricklayer's scaffolding Double scaffolding or mason's scaffolding Cantilever or needle scaffolding Suspended scaffolding Trestle scaffolding Steel scaffolding Patented scaffoling
Points to be attended to in scaffolding
	Bedding of standards Loading Tying-in scaffold Raising Finishing Spacing of standards Miscellaneous structures
Shoring
	Definition
Types of shoring
	Raking or inclined shores Flying or horizontal shores Dead or vertical shores
Underpinning Points to be attended to in underpinning
	Shoring and strutting Examination of structure Repairs Checking arrangement Expensive operation Bearing plate
Methods of underpinning
	Pit method Pile method Miscellaneous methods
Questions Top>>

Chapter 6 : DAMP-PROOFING, WATER LEAKAGE AND TERMITE-PROOFING

General Damp-proofing Meaning of the term damp-proofing Causes of dampness
	Rising of moisture from the ground Action of rain Exposed tops of walls Condensation Miscellaneous
Effects of dampness Requirements of an ideal material for damp-proofing Materials used for damp-proofing
	Hot bitumen Mastic asphalt Bituminous felts Metal sheets Combination of sheets and felts Stones Bricks Mortar Cement concrete Plastic sheets
General principles of damp-proofing Methods of damp-proofing Water leakage Meaning of the term Reasons and preventive measures for water leakage
	Defects due to poor maintenance Defects in construction Defects in design
Termite-proofing Meaning of the term termite-proofing Types of termites
	Drywood termites Subterranean or ground nesting termites
General principles of termite-proofing
	Bridging Cost Drainage Filling material Floor joints Foundations Method of termite-proofing Site clearance Superstructure
Methods of termite-proofing
	Soil treatment with chemicals Structural barriers
Summary Questions Top>>

Chapter 7 : STRUCTURES IN BRICKWORK

General Footings Piers
	Definition Types Shapes Typical cases
Buttresses Retaining walls and breast walls Thresholds Window sills Jambs Corbels Copings Ornamental brickwork Circular brickwork Fireplaces and flues Tall chimneys Cavity walls
	Reasons of providing a cavity or a hollow space in a wall Details of construction Features of a cavity wall
Reinforced brickwork
	Meaning of the term Typical cases
Questions Top>>

Chapter 8 : PARTITIONS

Definition Requirements of partition walls Types of partitions Brick partitions Clay block partitions Concrete partitions Glass partitions Timber partitions
	Advantages Disadvantages Types Common or stud partitions Trussed or braced partitions
Metal partitions Plaster slab partitions Asbestos cement sheet partitions Wood wool slab partitions Strawboard partitions Questions Top>>

Chapter 9 : CEMENT CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION

Definition Properties of cement concrete Materials used in R.C.C. work
	Cement Aggregates Steel Water
Corrosion of steel in concrete
	Theories of corrosion Causes of corrosion Effect of corrosion Prevention of corrosion
Sea water for making concrete
	Strength Corrosion of reinforcement
Proportioning concrete
	Arbitrary method Fineness modulus method Minimum voids method Maximum density method Water-cement ratio method
Grading of aggregates Water-cement ratio Workability Slump test
	Compaction factor test Vee-bee test
Estimating yield of concrete Bulking of sand Mixing the materials of concrete
	Hand mixing Machine mixing
Transporting and placing of concrete Consolidation of concrete
	Hand consolidation Vibrators Internal or immersion vibrators Surface vibrators Form or shutter vibrators Vibrating tables
Curing of concrete
	Meaning of the term Purposes Period of curing Effects of improper curing Factors affecting evaporation of water from concrete Methods of curing
Coloured concrete Lightweight concrete
	Binding material Aggregates Steel Water
No-fines concrete Joints in concrete structures
	Construction joints Expansion and contraction joints
Guniting Formwork Placing concrete under water
	Tremie Buckets Grouted concrete
Placing concrete in cold weather
	Curing Formwork Protection Temperature Water-cement ratio
Placing concrete in hot weather
	Addition of chemicals Cooling of materials Deposition of concrete Protection after placing Watering formwork
Pre-cast concrete
	Advantages Disadvantages
Framed structures
	General Advantages of framed structures Thin panels Speed in construction Freedom in planning Use of proper materials Better resistant to vibrations Unreliable soils Economy in construction
Points to be observed while supervising R.C.C. work
	Cement Fine aggregate Coarse aggregate Water Proportion Reinforcement Centering Mixing Transporting and placing Consolidation Curing Finishing
Concrete floor cracks Quality control of concrete Questions Top>>

Chapter 10 : ARCHES

General Definition Technical terms Types of arches
	Classification of arches according to shape
		Flat arch Segmental arch Semi-circular arch Semi-elliptical arch Inverted arch Pointed arch Relieving arch Horse-shoe arch Stilted arch Venetian arch Florentine arch
	Classification of arches according to number of centres
		One-centred arch Two-centred arch Three-centred arch Four-centred or Tudor arch Five-centred arch
	Classification of arches according to workmanship
		Rough arch Axed or rough-cut arch Gauged arch
	Classification of arches according to materials of construction
		Stone arches Brick arches Concrete arches
Stability of an arch Centering for arches Questions Top>>

Chapter 11 : LINTELS

Definition Materials for lintels
	Wood or timber lintels Stone lintels Brick lintels Steel lintels Reinforced cement concrete lintels
Questions Top>>

Chapter 12 : DOORS AND WINDOWS

General Important considerations for doors and windows
	Purpose Size Location Material Other requirements
Technical terms Types of doors
	Ledged doors Ledged and braced doors Ledged and framed doors Ledged, framed and braced doors Framed and panelled doors Glazed or sash doors Flush doors Louvered doors Collapsible steel doors Revolving doors Rolling steel doors Sliding doors Swing doors
Types of windows
	Casement windows Double-hung windows Pivoted windows Sliding windows Louvered windows Sash of glazed windows Metal windows Circular windows Corner windows Gable windows Dormer windows Bay windows Clerestorey windows Lanterns or lantern lights Skylights
Ventilators Mosquito-proofing
	Doors Windows Ventilators
Fixtures and fastenings for doors and windows Questions Top>>

Chapter 13 : CARPENTRY AND JOINERY

Meaning of the terms Technical terms in carpentry Principles governing the construction of joints Classification of joints
	Lengthening joints Widening joints Angle joints Oblique-shouldered joints Bearing joints Framing joints
Fastenings Tools used in carpentry Questions Top>>

Chapter 14 : STAIRS

Definition Technical terms Ramps Types of stairs
	Straight stairs Turning stairs Circular of helical or spiral stairs Geometrical stairs
Moving stairs
	Essential parts Speed and slope Design Location Installation Advantages Uses
Stairs of different materials
	Stone stairs Construction Support and fixing Wooden or timber stairs Brick stairs Metal stairs R.C.C. stairs
Requirements of a good stair
	Design of layout Treads and risers Materials and workmanship Width Pitch Headroom Flight Single step Winders Handrail Location
Questions Top>>

Chapter 15 : ROOFS

Definition Requirements of a good roof Classification of roofs
	Pitched or sloping roofs
Types of pitched roofs
	Single roofs Double or purlin roofs Trussed roofs
Roof coverings for pitched roofs
	Thatch Ordinary half-round country tiles Shingles Patent tiles Trafford asbestos-cement tiles Eternit slates Corrugated galvanized iron sheets Asbestos cement corrugated sheets Ruberoid
Ventilators in pitched roofs Methods to secure pitched roofs against uplift
	Fixing with the ground Masonry walls Mortar borders Wind ties Flat or terraced roofs Madras terrace roof Bengal terrace roof Advantages of flat roofs Disadvantages of flat roofs Water-proofing of flat roofs Finishing Bedding concrete and flooring Mastic asphalt and jute cloth Use of water-proofing compounds Curved roofs
Drainage of pitched and flat roofs Questions Top>>

Chapter 16 : FLOORS AND FLOORINGS

Definitions Types of floors Timber floors
	Basement or ground floor of timber Single joist timber floors Double joist timber floors Framed or triple joist timber floors Features of timber floors
Composite floors
	Double flagstone floors Filler joist floors Jack arch floors R.C.C. floors Hollow block and rib floors Pre-cast concrete floors
Types of floorings
	Factors affecting choice of flooring material Materials used for flooring
Questions Top>>

Chapter 1 : PILE FOUNDATIONS

General Uses of piles Types of piles Load bearing piles
	Bearing piles Friction piles Cast-iron piles Cement concrete piles Cast-in-situ concrete piles Cased cast-in-situ concrete piles
Uncased cast-in-situ concrete piles
	Pre-cast concrete piles
Underwater repairs of pre-cast concrete piles
	Sand piles Steel piles Timber piles Wrought-iron piles
Non-load bearing piles
	Concrete sheet piles Steel sheet piles Timber sheet piles
Choice of type of pile Composite piles Screw piles Pile spacing Group of piles Efficiency of group of piles
	Converse labbore equation Feld-rule
Pile cap and pile shoe Load tests on piles
	Cyclic load method Constant rate of penetration method Housel's method Method of equilibrium
Pile driving Pile frames Pile hammers Leads Winches Miscellaneous Pulling of piles Loads on piles Causes of failures of piles Pile driving formulas Questions Top>>

Chapter 2 : ACOUSTICS

Definition Velocity of sound Frequency and intensity of sound Timbre Measurement of sound
	Influence of environment Ambient pressure Humidity Magnetic fields Temperature Vibration Wind Measurement report
Sound in enclosures Reflection of sound Defects due to reflected sound
	Echoes Reverberation
Absorption of sound Sabin’s equation Absorbent materials Types of absorbent materials
	Hairfelt Acoustic plaster Acoustical tiles Strawboard Pulp boards Compressed fibreboard Compressed wood particle board Perforated plywood Wood wool board Quilts and mats
Conditions for good acoustics of an auditorium or a hall Factors to be considered in the acoustic design of an auditorium
	Volume Shape Sound absorption Site selection Seats and seating arrangement
Defects in an auditorium and their remedies
	Reverberation Formation of echoes Sound foci Dead spots Loudness Exterior noise
Acoustics of studios Noise and its effects Noise mapping Types of noises Transmission of noise Sound insulation Transmission loss Acceptable noise levels Methods of sound insulation
	When source of noise is in the room itself When noise is air-borne When noise is structure-borne
Questions Top>>

Chapter 3 : FIRE PROTECTION IN BUILDINGS

General Causes and effects of fire Fire hazards Fire-load Limiting fire spread
	Fire fighting equipment Materials of construction Means of escape Protection of openings Subdivision
Grading of structural elements and buildings Characteristics of fire-resisting material Fire-resisting properties of common building materials
	Stone Brick Timber Cast-iron Glass Steel Wrought-iron Aluminium Asbestos cement Concrete
General rules for fire-resisting buildings
	Alarm systems Protection of openings Common wall Partition wall Stair Floors Fire-extinguishing arrangements Theatres and cinemas Important buildings
Fire protection systems
	Automatic sprinkler system Carbon dioxide system Dry chemical system Foam system Halon system Hydrant system Water spray system Wet riser system
Strong-room construction
	Walls, floor and ceiling Grills Doors and windows
General rules for earthquake resistant buildings
	Additions and alterations Ceiling Continuity of construction Foundations Gaps with adjoining structures Non-structural parts Projections Shape of structure Structural design Weight of structure
Thermal insulation of buildings Meaning of the term Purpose of thermal insulation Advantages of thermal insulation General principles of thermal insulation Insulating materials Some definitions Thermal insulation of exposed doors and windows Thermal insulation of exposed roofs Thermal insulation of exposed walls Questions Top>>

Chapter 4 : COFFERDAMS

Definition Uses of cofferdams Types of cofferdams
	Dikes Single wall cofferdams Double wall cofferdams Cellular cofferdams Rock-filled crib cofferdams Concrete cofferdams Suspended cofferdams
Prevention of leakage in cofferdams Puddle for cofferdam Factors affecting design of a cofferdam Questions Top>>

Chapter 5 : CAISSONS

Definition Uses of caissons Cofferdam and caisson Materials used for the construction of caissons Classification of caissons Box caissons
	Construction of a box caisson Conditions favourable for the construction of a box caisson Points to be noted in case of a box caisson
Wells
	Single wells Multiple wells or monoliths Cylinders Pneumatic caissons Construction of a pnumatic caisson
Pneumatic caisson sickness
	Cause of caisson sickness Precautions to be taken to avoid of caisson sickness
Drilled caissons
	Bell Shaft Cap Methods of construction Precautions during construction Advantages
Loads on caisson
	Vertical loads Lateral loads Sinking Loads
Floating of caissons
	Construction of dry dock Floating from bank Turning of caissons Use of compressed air
Cutting edges
	Cutting edges with sharp ends Cutting edges with blunt ends
Factors affecting the choice of a cutting edge Skin friction Sand blowing Methods to facilitate the sinking of caissons
	Air and water jets Blasting Loading Sand island
Tilting of caissons Questions Top>>

Chapter 6 : MECHANICAL EQUIPMENTS

General Belt conveyors
	Continuous belt Idlers Driving unit Pulleys Take-up equipment Supporting structure Special accessories
Belt conveyors for placing concrete
	Portable conveyors Feeder conveyors Spreading conveyors
Bulldozers
	Classification of bulldozers Size and output of a bulldozer Utility of a bulldozer
Cableways Concrete buckets Concrete mixers Cranes
	Derrick cranes Goliath cranes Swing jib cranes Tower cranes
Dredgers
	Bucket-ladder dredgers Dipper dredgers Grab dredgers Hydraulic dredgers
Earth rammers Excavators
	Back trench hoe excavators Clamshell excavators Dragline excavators Shovel excavators Skimmer excavators
Gantries
	Derrick tower gantries Platform gantries Travelling gantries
Gin poles Hoists Pulley blocks Pumps Ripper or rooter or scarifier Ropeways Manilla ropes Wire ropes Scraper Tractor Winches Questions Top>>

Chapter 7 : FORMWORK

General Requirements of formwork
	Easy removal Economy Less leakage Quality Rigidity Smooth surface Strength Supports
Cost of formwork Materials used for preparing formwork
	Steel formwork Timber formwork
Formwork for column footings Formwork for columns Formwork for floors Formwork for walls Formwork for stairs Form linings Slip forms
	Operation of slip forms Uses of slip forms
Removal of formwork Centering for big arches Types of centering
	Timber truss centering Trestle centering Steel truss centering
Formwork for domes
	Types of formwork for construction of a dome Method of construction of formwork of a dome
Failure of formwork Maintenance of formwork Questions Top>>

Chapter 8 : POINTING AND PLASTERING

General Objects of pointing and plastering Pointing
	Mortar for pointing Method of pointing Types of pointing
Plastering Requirements of good plaster
	Mortar for plastering Tools for plastering Methods of plastering Plaster in two coats Plaster in three coats Use of lath in plastering Defects in plastering
External finishes
	Sand-faced finish Pebble-dash or dry-dash finish Rough-cast finish or spatter dash finish Smooth-cast finish Depeter finish Scrapped finish Textured finish
Special materials for plastered surfaces
	Acoustic plaster Asbestos-marble plaster Barium plaster Granite silicon plaster Gypsum plaster Keene's cement Martin's cement Parian cement Scagliola Sirapite Snowcrete and colourcrete cements Thistle hardwall
Fibrous plaster boards Colour pigments for plaster Questions Top>>

Chapter 9 : PAINTING, VARNISHING, DISTEMPERING, ETC.

General Painting
	Characteristics of an ideal paint Pigment volume concentration number Ingredients of an oil borne paint Types of paints Notes for guidance in the process of painting Painting on different surfaces
Failure of paint Defects in painting Varnishing
	Characteristics of an ideal varnish Ingredients of a varnish Types of varnishes Process of varnishing
Distempering
	Properties of distempers Ingredients of a distemper Process of distempering
Wall paper Whitewashing Colourwashing Questions Top>>

Chapter 10 : STRUCTURAL STEELWORK

General Rolled steel shapes
	Angle sections Channel sections Corrugated sheets Expanded metal Flat bars I-sections Plates Ribbed-torsteel bars Round bars Square bars T-sections
Built-up sections Connections in steelwork
	Bolts Rivets Welding
Questions Top>>

Chapter 11 : VENTILATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING

Necessity of ventilation Factors affecting ventilation
	Air changes Humidity Quality of air Temperature Use of building
Requirements of a good ventilating system Types of ventilation
	Natural ventilation Mechanical or artificial ventilation
Air-conditioning Definition Purposes Filters
	Dry filters Viscous filters Water sprays Electric precipitators
Heating Cooling Humidification Dehumidification Summer air-conditioning Winter air-conditioning Air distribution
	Ducts Outlets Pumps
Systems of air-conditioning
	Central system Unitary-central system Unitary system
Questions Top>>

Chapter 12 : CPM AND PERT

General Network analysis Features of network planning Rules for network diagram Procedure for CPM
	Project breakdown Network diagram Utility data with respect to time and cost Determination of critical path Activity times and floats Significance of floats Scheduling
Advantages of CPM Uses of CPM Application of CPM in project management CPM for determining extension of time Difficulties in implementation of the CPM
	Lack of knowledge of the subject Literature on the subject Unwillingness of contractors
Project cost Cost -time optimization Cost slope Optimization by crashing Updating an arrow diagram Time-Grid diagram method
	Utility of the Time-Grid diagram method Advantages of the Time-Grid diagram
PERT Percentage of probability PERT network scheduling Slacks of events Negative slack and negative float Alternative I Alternative II Selection of technique Bar charts or Gantt charts Mile-stone charts Resouces planning Resource allocation Resource levelling Questions Top>>