Gondal Group of Industries’ Post

Why Use an Upstand Wall? An upstand wall is a raised vertical structure that is commonly used in construction for various purposes. Here are some of the key reasons why upstand walls are built. - In flat roof construction, upstand walls help contain water and direct it toward drainage systems, preventing water from spilling over the edges. -They are used to create clear boundaries, particularly on flat surfaces like roofs, balconies, or terraces. -Upstand walls can act as support for other structural elements, such as glass panels, cladding. - In bathrooms or kitchens, upstand walls are used along the edge of floors to prevent water from seeping under tiles or other materials. - On raised platforms or roofs, upstand walls can serve as safety barriers, and can also be part of a building’s aesthetic design. How to Construct an Upstand Wall Building an upstand wall requires attention to detail and proper techniques. Below is a basic guide on how to? Lay the First Layer: Start by laying the first course (row) of bricks, blocks, or masonry. For waterproofing, make sure to apply a layer of bitumen or a similar substance on the surface before laying the first course. Reinforcement (if required): Depending on the height and load requirements, reinforce the wall with steel bars or mesh. For example, in high-rise construction or heavy-duty roofs, steel reinforcement is used to increase stability. Lay Additional Courses: Continue laying subsequent layers, ensuring the wall is straight (plumb) and level. Apply mortar between each brick or block and leave space for expansion joints if necessary. Waterproofing (Optional): For roofs or bathrooms, waterproofing membranes are applied either beneath or on top of the wall, particularly on surfaces exposed to moisture. Cap the Wall: Once the desired height is achieved, place a coping stone or other materials to cap the wall and protect it from water penetration and weathering. Curing and Drying: Allow the mortar or concrete to cure for a specified period to achieve maximum strength. Surface Treatment: If the wall is exposed, you might apply plaster, rendering, or painting to protect it from the elements and for aesthetic appeal. Final Inspection: Check for any cracks, misalignments, or other imperfections in the wall. Ensure that the upstand wall is properly aligned with other structural elements. Inspect Regularly: Over time, inspect the upstand wall for cracks or wear, particularly in areas exposed to heavy rain or weather conditions. Reapply Waterproofing: If the upstand wall is intended for water containment, ensure the waterproofing layer is maintained or reapplied as needed.

Translucent Concrete: An Innovative Material in Civil Construction Introduction: Translucent concrete, also known as light-transmitting or transparent concrete, is an innovative material that combines the strength of traditional concrete with the aesthetic appeal of light transmission. This material is gaining popularity in modern architecture and construction for its ability to create visually striking structures while maintaining structural integrity. Composition and Structure: Translucent concrete is primarily composed of fine concrete embedded with optical fibres. These fibres, which make up about 4-5% of the mixture by volume, run parallel to each other and transmit light from one side of the concrete block to the other. The optical fibres are mixed with cement, fine aggregates, and water, similar to traditional concrete, but the careful placement and alignment of the fibres are what enable light transmission. Applications in Civil Construction: 1. Façades: Translucent concrete panels are used for building façades, allowing natural light to filter into the interior spaces while maintaining privacy. 2. Partitions: It serves as a unique material for interior partitions, offering a blend of light and shadow effects. 3. Flooring: In commercial and residential buildings, translucent concrete is used for flooring, creating dramatic lighting effects. 4. Furniture: Designers use it to create furniture pieces that combine form and function, such as light-transmitting tables and benches. Advantages: 1. Aesthetic Appeal: The ability to transmit light gives translucent concrete a unique and modern appearance, making it ideal for creative architectural designs. 2. Energy Efficiency: By allowing natural light to penetrate buildings, translucent concrete can reduce the need for artificial lighting, thereby saving energy. 3. Structural Strength: Despite its light-transmitting properties, translucent concrete retains the strength and durability of traditional concrete, making it suitable for load-bearing applications. 4. Sustainability: The use of natural light in buildings constructed with translucent concrete contributes to sustainability by reducing energy consumption. Challenges and Considerations: 1. Cost: The inclusion of optical fibres and the precision required in manufacturing make translucent concrete more expensive than traditional concrete. 2. Structural Limitations: Although it is strong, the proportion of optical fibres can reduce the overall structural capacity of the material, limiting its use in some applications. 3. Installation Expertise: The installation of translucent concrete requires specialized skills, particularly in aligning the optical fibres and ensuring proper curing.

Fiber optic concrete, also known as translucent concrete or light-transmitting concrete, is a fascinating material that combines the strength and durability of concrete with the ability to transmit light. This is achieved by embedding optical fibers within the concrete mix. Here's a breakdown of its key features: How it works: Optical fibers: Thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic that guide light. Embedding: The fibers are carefully arranged and cast into the concrete during the pouring process. Light transmission: Light entering one end of the fiber travels through it and emerges at the other end, illuminating the concrete from within. Benefits: Aesthetics: Creates a visually striking and unique appearance, allowing for innovative architectural designs. Natural lighting: Can be used to bring natural light deeper into buildings, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and saving energy. Safety and privacy: The level of translucency can be controlled, offering a balance between light transmission and maintaining privacy. Green building: Promotes energy efficiency and reduces the need for additional lighting systems. Applications: Building facades: Walls, partitions, and claddings that allow natural light to penetrate, creating a brighter and more open feel. Interior design elements: Countertops, floors, and decorative features with unique lighting effects. Structural elements: Columns, beams, and other structural components that can also serve as light sources. Challenges: Cost: Currently, fiber optic concrete is more expensive than traditional concrete due to the specialized materials and processes involved. Production: Requires careful planning and expertise to ensure proper fiber placement and light transmission. Strength: While maintaining good structural strength, the presence of fibers can slightly impact the overall strength compared to regular concrete.

Light-Transmitting Concrete Overview Light-transmitting concrete, also known as translucent or transparent concrete, is an innovative type of concrete that allows light to pass through it. This material maintains the strength and durability of traditional concrete while introducing new aesthetic and functional possibilities with its light-transmitting properties. Composition This type of concrete is made by embedding optical fibers or optical resin into fine-grain concrete. The optical fibers transmit light from one surface to the other. Despite visible light transmission, the material maintains the essential characteristics of concrete such as strength and formability. Benefits Aesthetic Appeal: Offers unique architectural effects and adds a modern, stylish appearance to structures. Energy Efficiency: Increases natural lighting within buildings, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. Safety: Can enhance visibility in low-light conditions, useful for walkways, staircases, and emergency exits. Thermal Insulation: Maintains effective thermal insulation properties similar to standard concrete. Applications Architectural Facades: Used in building exteriors to create attractive and illuminated facades. Interior Design: Adds unique interior elements such as illuminated walls, partitions, and furniture. Art Installations: Used in sculptures and art pieces that play with light and shadow. Infrastructure: Enhances safety and visibility in tunnels, bridges, and sidewalks. Limitations Cost: More expensive than traditional concrete due to the incorporation of optical fibers. Complex Production: Manufacturing requires precision and careful handling of materials, which can be labor-intensive. Future Prospects The development and application of light-transmitting concrete continue to grow, driven by advances in material science and a growing interest in sustainable and energy-efficient building practices. Research is focused on improving cost-effectiveness, light transmission efficiency, and expanding its applications in both residential and commercial construction.

Let’s talk about floor-to-floor heights in new construction buildings and how our firm approaches determining the best height between multiple floors for a building. There are many components that contribute to the overall height of a building. The top three items are: 1.     Desired ceiling height in a space determined by an architect. Ceiling heights impact how a space feels. Low ceilings can make a space feel smaller, more confined, and more restrictive. Taller ceilings make spaces feel better, more open, bigger. [[Note]: Not all low ceilings are bad and not all tall ceilings are good. They each have pros and cons and many factors that can make them work or not.] 2.     The desired space above the ceiling for ductwork and plumbing desired by the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineers. 3.     The desired height of the floor framing by the Structural Engineer. -For public and non-profit projects where our design team is tasked with designing really nice spaces while on a tight budget, we always try to aim for a minimum of 10’ ceilings and 9’ where we have to drop the ceiling occasionally for ductwork. -Ask any Mechanical engineer how much space they need above a ceiling and they’ll say 3’ to 4’. Architects usually aim for 18” to 2’. -Ask any structural engineer how tall the floor joists need to be and they will want them to be taller than the architect wants them to be. This is why bringing the entire architecture and engineering teams to the table early in the design process is key to a successful project. As architects, it is our job to find that sweet spot between making the building feel as good and memorable as possible to be in, while also keeping the project within the specified budget. We absolutely love super tall ceilings. But it can get expensive very quickly when you imagine that for every 1’ of height you add to a floor: you are adding 1 more foot of framing, of insulation, of exterior materials, of drywall, etc. It all adds up quickly. With brick buildings and / or buildings that have masonry elevator and stair shafts we get even more specific and locate our floor-to-floor heights to be on coursing to save on cutting half of blocks or half of a brick. This keeps the construction looking better, and is a bit easier to execute while also reducing waste. As an example, the building seen below is on a very tight budget, but it is also for end users who need the healing properties of nicely proportioned spaces with high ceilings. This is for the building to function best for its end user. The entire design team met early in the design process with the engineers to collaborate. We landed on a 13’-4” floor to floor height. This was an example of keeping the masonry elevator and stair shafts on coursing – making the construction more economical which allowed us budget to create the desired interior experience.  

THE THEORY OF THE PRODUCTION OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE See more on my homepages on www.http://arch-es.se    THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SIZE OF THE SPACE-ENCLOSING STRUCTURES, WORKING HOURS AND PRODUCTION COSTS.   For a society as a whole it is important to accomplish the necessary space supply with a minimum of investments. Dominating part of these rooms are produced by traditional matter. "Stones laid down on stones". FOR THE ENTIRELY SOCIETY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, THAT THE NEED OF THE ROOMS IS COMPLETED BY MINIMAL ECONOMIC SUPPLY Today we have about 200- 300 type of frequently used prefabricated systems ANALYSE OF THE BUILDING SYSTEMS OF TODAY In housing construction we find the following typical building systems. Conventional on-site system; casting the concrete slab on form, casting or brick on brick making the walls, , Small size space enclosing element system, 600 mm width of the elements in concrete, pre produced carpentry. Prefabricated elements in size like a part of the room or the whole wall of the room. The level of prefabrication is similar to small element system. U- Box unit type building system, elements by prefabricated room sized or part of the room sized element which are placed on each other or side by side.   Box units placed one upon the other vertically in a chessboard pattern; Shelley system, SCHÖMER SYSTEM   We compare the classified systems made of similar materials (concrete to concrete, wooden to wooden). Comparing of the different building systems: We find from left to right, by the enlarging of the space function of the elements the total working time for production of rooms reduces from 100% for on-site method, to 30% for the mobile home. We find the working hours changing in the factory/on the site from 30/70% to 82/18% for the mobile home, Statistic material is collected in Sweden. In the theoretical point of view the above written is evident. To build up a house by one cubic centimetre large elements. For production of room needed working hours (T) and costs (C) are equivalent to the quadrate root of the enclosing elements total circumference (CF). T1:T2 = c1.C1:C2 = c2.quadrateroot(CF1:CF2). There c1 and c2 are constants. see homepages   Elements for concrete systems can be transported up to 250 km. In the USA d. The elements are produced by plywood, they are transported often 1000 miles (US) from the factory to the site. T. Sweden belongs to the countries, where large part of the building production is prefabricated: normally between 7 - 15% of the total production. Countries with lower %-age of prefabricated production   CONCLUSION effective building methods must be used in the developing-countries We should not occupy people in an unproductive building industry. The production of new buildings on world, which is relevant to this article, makes 7- 8% of the GNP,1% of the GNP of the world. This is equal to the whole GNP of Sweden Public in Zürich 1977. : Ervin Schömer

#NIR foundations, closed up edition. Well about 1000 people made the mistake of looking at my torn up concrete floor with sand piled all over while the plumbing was being redone. Someone said they like seeing how the remodel is going. So here is the picture of it all closed back up and inspected and ready for use. The trick is for me to think of some way this is like NIR. OK, it's like this. That bathroom layout sucked. It didn't have a wide enough hallway to meet anyone's code. The sink was outside and around the corner in the bedroom. and and and. Opening up the floor to move the plumbing around to make a more sensible design is expensive. It's going to be about $15 K to take it out, dig it up, concrete it over and put something back. Plus shower pan, plus tile, plus faucets, plus bidet, plus plus plus. But, once you've gotten that far into things it isn't that much more to open up the drain for the laundry and move it. And it isn't that much more to open up the floor for the other vanity in the other bathroom and move that. When the jack hammer is there and the cement truck is there, doing a little or a lot isn't that big of a deal. So that's why there is so much fresh cement on the floor. NIR instrument design projects are like that. It costs a lot to open up a design and start changing things in software or in hardware. So we keep lists of things we know we'd like to fix or change. And then when the decision comes to open it up we try to fit as many changes as possible into the system because the costing is very non-linear. When you have the thing open and you are redesigning the optics or the electronics or even just have the software open and fixing that it is like that floor. All the equipment is right there and doing a bit more isn't that much more money. And yes, we have a project on an instrument that we have been waiting a while for. Suddenly, it is a priority. We go ahead and cram everything project adjacent into that until we threaten to bust the budget and then back off just a touch. And that is how NIR instrument models get better. People can look at the trade show and think that instrument looks the same for the last 7 or 8 years, but depending on the revision there is a lot changed. Looking at the outside of the house, it looks the same as last year. But on the inside it is changing a lot. OK, got to go. More workers and inspectors here today. PS, yes, that is a water softener salt container sitting there by itself. Why? Because no one figured out how to make space for it in that room just behind it. We'll fix that too. Never time to do it right, always time to do it over.

What is flexible travertine？ Flexible stone is a new type of exterior wall building material with stone-like effect It can not only present realistic stone effect But also has advantages in cost and construction efficiency It also has good weather resistance This article focuses on the following aspects What is soft stone? 1. What is soft stone? 2. What are the characteristics of soft stone? 3. What are the applications of soft stone? 4. Construction technology and key points of soft stone 01. What is soft stone? It is a flexible imitation stone material It is different from ultra-thin stone Ultra-thin stone is real stone Soft stone is imitation stone It is a material based on inorganic materials Add environmentally friendly water-soluble building coatings Under the dynamic temperature curve Irradiation cross-linked and baked A thin and light material with flexibility New energy-saving and low-carbon building decorative surface material 02. What are the characteristics of soft stone? 1) Ultra-thin & bendable Soft stone has incredible bending angles Can meet the design requirements of various special-shaped buildings No cracking around a 20 cm diameter cylinder Can withstand thermal stress deformation of building structures and different insulation bases 2) Long-lasting color Its ingredients are inorganic materials The color comes from the material itself Pure natural colors are more durable Will not fade due to ultraviolet rays or other external natural conditions Soft stone will not have aging phenomena such as bulging, falling off, and powdering. It also has excellent durability and national A-level fireproof flexible material. Soft stone uses natural modified mineral powder as raw material No need to cut rocks Reduce the pollution of industrial waste to the environment No dust, noise and other pollution during construction It is a real green material 03. What are the applications of soft stone? Soft stone can be used for indoor wall decoration The finishing layer and curved wall of the insulation system Arched columns and other special-shaped facade decoration A variety of colors can be chosen at will, and the imitation stone effect is realistic Low price, generally acceptable 04. Soft stone construction technology and key points Construction technology Notes Before new wall construction A layer of interface agent should be applied to the wall before soft stone is applied Construction of cement wall, ensure the wall is flat See if there is water seepage If necessary, apply waterproof coating on the bottom layer Then apply soft stone, otherwise you can directly lay tiles Wall renovation construction, if the original wall is painted or tiled If the aging is serious, clean the whole wall and scrape it off before applying Especially for painted walls Must scrape it off before applying soft stone

Framing installation is a crucial step in any construction project, as it provides the structural support for walls, roofs, and floors. It involves the assembly of a framework using various materials, most commonly wood, but also steel or other materials depending on the project's requirements. This response will explore the different aspects of framing installation, including its importance, common types, materials used, and the process involved. Importance of Framing Installation Framing serves as the skeletal system of a building, defining its shape and providing the necessary strength to withstand loads and maintain stability. It is essential for: • Structural Integrity: Framing ensures the building can safely support its own weight and any additional loads, such as furniture, appliances, and occupants. • Shape and Design: Framing defines the overall shape and layout of a building, allowing for the creation of different rooms, spaces, and architectural features. • Support for Finishes: Framing provides a solid base for attaching finishes such as drywall, siding, roofing, and flooring. • Creating Interior and Exterior Spaces: Framing creates distinct rooms and separate interior and exterior areas, providing privacy and functionality. Common Types of Framing Installation There are several common types of framing installation, each with its specific applications and advantages: • Wood Framing: This is the most traditional and widely used type of framing, employing lumber like 2x4s and 2x6s. It is versatile, cost-effective, and relatively easy to work with. • Steel Framing: Steel framing is gaining popularity due to its strength, durability, and resistance to fire and pests. It is often used in commercial buildings, high-rise structures, and areas with high seismic activity. • Light Gauge Steel Framing: This type of framing uses thin, pre-engineered steel studs and tracks, making it lightweight, fast to install, and suitable for residential and commercial projects. • Concrete Framing: Concrete framing is used for structures requiring exceptional strength and durability, such as foundations, walls, and columns. It is often used in high-rise buildings and infrastructure projects.