ACCURACY OF COMPUTATIONS and TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION

ACCURACY OF COMPUTATIONS

Digital calculators and computers can carryout analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures involving calculations to 16 or more significant digits. But it will be noticed that there are lots of variations in practically every aspect of a reinforced concrete structure, vizanalysis, design, construction, loads, material strengths. dimensions and measurements etc. Thus it is clear that too much accuracy in computations is undesirable, it is recommended that computations with three significant digits may be carried out in each step of design. The designer should place more care in determining proper locations and lengths of statement to carry the tensile and compressive forces.

TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION

The nature of construction of buildings in India can be cla.ifi in two categories:

(1) Brick masonry constructions, and.

(2) Reinforced concrete framed construction.

The brick masonry construction mainly consists of brick columns, walls and strip foundations. The brick columns and walls are load bearing components. It is usual -to provide reinforced concrete beams slabs and staircases. Thud, ft is a mixed construction.

The dead and live loads are resisted by reinforced concrete slabs and beams, and brick columns and walls, while wind and earthquake loads are resisted by all brick walls acting as a unified structural system. Such a construction can be economically used for up to three or four storeys Now-adàys, concrete block masonry construction is also becoming popular due to better workmanship and strength of concrete block masonry construction is also becoming popular due to better workmanship and strength of concrete blocks than those of bricks.

Beyond four storeys, it is advisable to go in for reinforced concrete frame& construction. The lateral forces due to wind and earthquake become quit significant. The gravity as well as lateral loads can be conveniently resisted by the framed structure consisting of slabs, beams and columns. The walls are used as partition elements or non-load bearing elements. During earthquakes, the brick partition walls do offer significant mass and lateral stiffness. In case they &re not connected properly with the framed structure, damage to the whole structure is imminent thus; first fifteen chapters of this book are relevant to either type of construction. The later chapters are applicable to concrete framed construction.