Mortar is an intimate mixture of binding material, fine aggregate and water. When water is added to the dry mixture of binding material and the inert material, binding material develops the property that binds not only the inert material but also the surrounding stones and bricks. If the cement is the binding material, then the […]

Seasoning of Timber This is a process by which moisture content in a freshly cut tree is reduced to a suitable level. By doing so the durability of timber is increased. The various methods of seasoning used may be classified into: Natural seasoning Artificial seasoning. Natural Seasoning of Timber It may be air seasoning or

Defects in Timber Good timber is free from defects like dead knots, shakes and cracks. Various defects which are likely to occur in timber may be grouped into the following three: Due to natural forces Due to defective seasoning and conversions. Due to attack by fungi and insects. Defects in Timber due to Natural Forces

Timber refers to wood used for construction works. In fact the word timber is derived from an old English word ‘Timbrian’ which means ‘to build’. A tree that yields good wood for construction is called ‘Standing Timber.’ After felling a tree, its branches are cut and its stem is roughly converted into pieces of suitable

Fineness Test: It is conducted by sieve analysis. 100 gms of cement is taken and sieved through IS sieve No. 9 for fifteen minutes. Residue on the sieve is weighed. This should not exceed 10 percent by weight of sample taken. Setting Time Test of Cement Initial setting time and final setting time are the

Cement is a commonly used binding material in the construction. The cement is obtained by burning a mixture of calcarious (calcium) and argillaceous (clay) material at a very high temperature and then grinding the clinker so produced to a fine powder. It was first produced by a mason Joseph Aspdin in England in 1924. He

Lime is an important binding material used in building construction. Lime has been used as the material of construction from ancient time. When it is mixed with sand it provides lime mortar and when mixed with sand and coarse aggregate, it forms lime concrete. Types of Lime and their Properties The limes are classified as

Tests on Bricks The following laboratory tests may be conducted on the bricks to find their suitability: (i) Crushing strength (ii) Absorption (iii) Shape and size and (iv) Efflorescence. (i) Crushing Strength: The brick specimen are immersed in water for 24 hours. The frog of the brick is filled flush with 1:3 cement mortar and

Brick is obtained by moulding good clay into a block, which is dried and then burnt. This is the oldest building block to replace stone. Manufacture of brick started with hand moulding, sun drying and burning in clamps. A considerable amount of technological development has taken place with better knowledge about to properties of raw

Test of Stones To acertain the required properties of stones, the following tests can be conducted: (i) crushing strength test (ii) water absorption test (iii) abrasion test (iv) impact test (v) acid test. Crushing Strength Test For conducting this test, specimen of size 40 × 40 × 40 mm are prepared from parent stone. Then