Category: Glossary Term

What are crane pads? Civil engineering is a vast concept with many facets. Each stage, from designing to executing the designs, has its importance. The construction stage is the most important of all. Choosing materials to put each piece together involves mental and physical hard work. Construction also requires heavy machinery and vehicles that contribute in… Continue reading Crane pads

Geosynthetics being an integral part of geotechnical engineering, caters various solutions for soil stabilisation, drainage and erosion control. Among the various components of geosynthetics, connectors play an indispensable role in ensuring the effectiveness of these components. What are connectors? Connectors are the devices used to join products to maximise the load bearing capacities in structural… Continue reading Connectors

Understanding concrete Concrete is the foundation of the construction industry. It is not an independent material, this means concrete is a mixture of some components. Together, these components form a robust, thick slurry that hardens over time. When water and aggregate are mixed with a powder called cement, an excellent binding agent, it forms concrete.… Continue reading Concrete

Definition and meaning of compressive strength The fundamentals of civil engineering start with knowing the compressive strength of the construction material. This is essential to ensuring the structure’s stability, durability, and safety. Before we discuss this in more detail, let’s first understand what it is and its role in civil engineering. In literal terms, compressive… Continue reading Compressive strength

What do you mean by compaction? Although abundantly available, soil plays a significant role not only in mankind’s existence but also in maintaining a stable and successful structure. It is a complex construction material composed of sand, water, particles and other minerals. This naturally available matter can be significantly damaged if compaction occurs. Compaction adversely impacts… Continue reading Compaction

The success of any project entirely depends on the foundation laid. A strong foundation can lead to long-lasting structures. Similarly, a robust road foundation stabilises the base of the pavement. This ensures durability and load-bearing capacity. UK Civil Engineering has laid down some standards called CD225 to achieve stability and longevity. The standards under CD225 for… Continue reading CD225

Definition of California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value California Bearing Ratio: California bearing ratio value is determined as the penetration force per unit area involved in piercing a selected soil sample or cohesive material using a 50-mm standard circular plunger, penetrating at the speed of 1.25 mm/minute. A comparison of such penetration force obtained with pressure… Continue reading California bearing ratio value

What does “bond strength in geosynthetics” mean? Bond strength refers to the ability of geosynthetic materials to adhere to surrounding soil and construction materials. It directly affects the durability and performance of structures in civil engineering, particularly in soil stabilisation and pavement systems. Bond strength plays a role in not only soil stabilization but also… Continue reading Bond strength

The essence of civil engineering is a strong structure. It involves proper planning, excellent material choices, cost-effective construction techniques, and, most importantly, robust and durable structures that can last for years. Engineers use bituminous coatings to safeguard a structure’s durability from seepage, corrosion, or unwanted decomposition. Because of its properties, bituminous coatings are proven to be… Continue reading Bituminous coating

What is bitumen? A successful and long-lasting structure comprises several good engineering choices of construction materials. One of the most important materials is bitumen. Bitumen is naturally available and extracted from crude oil. For over 4,000 years, it has been an integral part of the construction industry. Earlier, bitumen insulated houses, boats, castles, and other… Continue reading Bitumen