opalu:


Buildings and their foundatons can be designed to perpetually remain in water. The truth is that good concrete mix without void and with great protection can last in water for God-knows-when. A smart Engr will assume the worst case scenario in which the foundation of the Lekki building remains in water.
Truth is that there is little a house owner or professional can do to totally remove underground water. However proper drainage must be done to eliminate surface flooding and retention of water around the building for too long since most buildings in the highbrow estates were done without making allowance for the said 'worst case scenario '.

Nice job prof... Prof., can the ratio of sand be more than that of stones when mixing concrete? I thought we have more stones in concrete than sand...

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[/size]we house the world, we build peace of mind!

snakebeat:

Nice job prof... Prof., can the ratio of sand be more than that of stones when mixing concrete? I thought we have more stones in concrete than sand...

The proportion of Granite is normally more than that of Sharp sand. But there are instances that some Engineers and Builders recommend equal proportions.

opalu:


The proportion of Granite is normally more than that of Sharp sand. But there are instances that some Engineers and Builders recommend equal proportions.

Thanks for your response sir....
But doesn't equal proportion of sand & granite violate the conventional mix ratio of 1:2:4 or 1:3:6? I thought the highest figure in these ratio ought to be granite or gravel as the case maybe...

opalu:


Buildings and their foundatons can be designed to perpetually remain in water. The truth is that good concrete mix without void and with great protection can last in water for God-knows-when. A smart Engr will assume the worst case scenario in which the foundation of the Lekki building remains in water.
Truth is that there is little a house owner or professional can do to totally remove underground water. However proper drainage must be done to eliminate surface flooding and retention of water around the building for too long since most buildings in the highbrow estates were done without making allowance for the said 'worst case scenario '.

^^^^^^^^^
@Opalu

Thanks for this brilliant reply to my earlier
post. You are a TRUE professional and
any of your clients/future clients need not
fear because they are in safe hands and will
get their housing projects delivered as and
when due.

I will keep in touch with Daystar Shelter soon
for a personal housing project in Nigeria.

Thanks again.

Mapletraks:


^^^^^^^^^
@Opalu

Thanks for this brilliant reply to my earlier
post. You are a TRUE professional and
any of your clients/future clients need not
fear because they are in safe hands and will
get their housing projects delivered as and
when due.

I will keep in touch with Daystar Shelter soon
for a personal housing project in Nigeria.

Thanks again.

Thanks alot. I look forward to doing a Housing Estate with/for you! Because I strongly believe you can do an estate than just a house.

Greetings.

I'm self designing a modest 2,500 square foot single level building.

For the DPC, do I need any steel reinforcements in the slab?

Thanks.

EgunMogaji:
Greetings.

I'm self designing a modest 2,500 square foot single level building.

For the DPC, do I need any steel reinforcements in the slab?

Thanks.

It depends. Which state and how 'good' is the land?
Also are you using hardcore to fill or just filling sand?

opalu:


It depends. Which state and how 'good' is the land?
Also are you using hardcore to fill or just filling sand?

Thanks for the quick response, the location is Ibadan. I intend to use an expert in testing the soil when it comes to that stage of execution but IMHO the soil is rocky. There are significant rock formations near the plot and in fact there is a small rock cropping on the plot itself.

I will use whatever filling material is deemed necessary. So I am assuming that if hardcore is used then there is no need for a steel reinforcements?

Why I asked about hardcore is that anywhere it is used and well rammed, the 'German floor' will not require major reinforcement. And if the test shows a soil of very high bearing capacity, plus if the panelling of the floor is not critical, then mass concrete will be just fine.
See that I spelt out the conditions. So that many people won't go and use mass concrete for ground floor where reinforcement is required and then experience structural failure.
Generally the ground floor is subjected to upward forces from the earth as well as downward forces from the dead and imposed loads from top. And you know the law that says actions and reactions are equal and opposite. That is equilibrium state.

Reinforcement helps make this possible in most (not all) buildings. Rebar caters for tensile forces while concrete takes care of compressive forces.

Hope I have not been too theoritical on this.

opalu:
Why I asked about hardcore is that anywhere it is used and well rammed, the 'German floor' will not require major reinforcement. And if the test shows a soil of very high bearing capacity, plus if the panelling of the floor is not critical, then mass concrete will be just fine.
See that I spelt out the conditions. So that many people won't go and use mass concrete for ground floor where reinforcement is required and then experience structural failure.
Generally the ground floor is subjected to upward forces from the earth as well as downward forces from the dead and imposed loads from top. And you know the law that says actions and reactions are equal and opposite. That is equilibrium state.

Reinforcement helps make this possible in most (not all) buildings. Rebar caters for tensile forces while concrete takes care of compressive forces.

Hope I have not been too theoritical on this.

Totally spot on. I'll make my decision after the soil test.

Mucho gracias.

EgunMogaji:

Totally spot on. I'll make my decision after the soil test.
Mucho gracias.

Thanks bro. The pleasure is mine

Load mechanism on a Structure

EgunMogaji:
Greetings.

I'm self designing a modest 2,500 square foot single level building.

For the DPC, do I need any steel reinforcements in the slab?

Thanks.

German floor! Use hardcore & wiremesh for the reinforcement, that will do...

opalu:
Why I asked about hardcore is that anywhere it is used and well rammed, the 'German floor' will not require major reinforcement. And if the test shows a soil of very high bearing capacity, plus if the panelling of the floor is not critical, then mass concrete will be just fine.
See that I spelt out the conditions. So that many people won't go and use mass concrete for ground floor where reinforcement is required and then experience structural failure.
Generally the ground floor is subjected to upward forces from the earth as well as downward forces from the dead and imposed loads from top. And you know the law that says actions and reactions are equal and opposite. That is equilibrium state.

Reinforcement helps make this possible in most (not all) buildings. Rebar caters for tensile forces while concrete takes care of compressive forces.

Hope I have not been too theoritical on this.

Prof.
@ the emboldened, u were, honestly...

snakebeat:

Prof.
@ the emboldened, u were, honestly...

EgunMogaji:

Totally spot on. I'll make my decision after the soil test.
Mucho gracias.

Same message. Opposite observations.
Beauty in diversity.

snakebeat:

German floor! Use hardcore & wiremesh for the reinforcement, that will do...

Wire mesh on hardcore is not gbogbonishe that works for every German floor.
Fair enough, i stated earlier that When hardcore is properly rammed, the ground floor slab will not require major reinforcement. However, there are many structural corrections I have had to do for clients whose projects were done with wire mesh when it actually required Y12 .
What works on one site might not necessarily work elsewhere.

opalu:


Wire mesh on hardcore is not gbogbonishe that works for every German floor.
Fair enough, i stated earlier that When hardcore is properly rammed, the ground floor slab will not require major reinforcement. However, there are many structural corrections I have had to do for clients whose projects were done with wire mesh when it actually required Y12 .
What works on one site might not necessarily work elsewhere.

@ the bolded, lol...
U're right....

For sure I will do a soil test by a competent soil analyst so I understand that answers to my questions will be majorly reliant on that. But I will only be on the ground for two weeks at a time and will not allow any work to be carried out in my absence. Mine will probably be the longest bungalow build on Nairaland but I am okay with that. That's the only way I know to guarantee the exacting quality that I demand.

On one of my previous homes here in SoCal, they simply built the foundation perimeter in poured concrete (the consistency I do not know but the house was built in the 70's and were still standing in 2015). So they built the perimeter in concrete, then raised the walls in 2X6 wood. The roof is a truss system which has required no support from the inside of the house. Basically there were no load bearing walls in the inside whatsoever.

The floors were wood flooring laid on top of 2X6 that were hung off of the concrete perimeter.

So you ended up having a small crawl space of about 3 feet. More than enough for a plumber and electrician to get down there and do their thing.

Any thoughts on this being viable in Nigeria? I mean I would have to use concrete runners instead of 2X6.

Another question. What is stopping a german floor from moving laterally on the block foundation in the event of seismic movement?

Thanks.

EgunMogaji:
For sure I will do a soil test by a competent soil analyst so I understand that answers to my questions will be majorly reliant on that. But I will only be on the ground for two weeks at a time and will not allow any work to be carried out in my absence. Mine will probably be the longest bungalow build on Nairaland but I am okay with that. That's the only way I know to guarantee the exacting quality that I demand.

On one of my previous homes here in SoCal, they simply built the foundation perimeter in poured concrete (the consistency I do not know but the house was built in the 70's and were still standing in 2015). So they built the perimeter in concrete, then raised the walls in 2X6 wood. The roof is a truss system which has required no support from the inside of the house. Basically there were no load bearing walls in the inside whatsoever.

The floors were wood flooring laid on top of 2X6 that were hung off of the concrete perimeter.

So you ended up having a small crawl space of about 3 feet. More than enough for a plumber and electrician to get down there and do their thing.

Any thoughts on this being viable in Nigeria? I mean I would have to use concrete runners instead of 2X6.

Another question. What is stopping a german floor from moving laterally on the block foundation in the event of seismic movement?

Thanks.

I didn't get the upper part. May be some else can help. Or explain better.

On the second question, seismic movements you refer to is not common in Nigeria. As for the Ground floor on block foundation, that works for bungalows not storey buildings with heavier weight. Do attach pictures to explain better thanks.

opalu:


I didn't get the upper part. May be some else can help. Or explain better.

On the second question, seismic movements you refer to is not common in Nigeria. As for the Ground floor on block foundation, that works for bungalows not storey buildings with heavier weight. Do attach pictures to explain better thanks.

Okay I will draw a diagram for the first part of question.

For the second part, let's assume that I'm safety freak that believes in climate change.

So educate me on how I can make my slab not move. Would short pillars work or it's more involved than that?

Thanks.

Ok we await the diagram.

On seismic movements like I said, Nigeria is not subjected to earthquakes so we don't factor that into our structural designs. Sincerely I haven't done any structural design against earthquakes yet. If your project is located in such areas, please do consult Engineers with such specialisation. Thanks.

However if the movements you refer to is settlement of building foundation, then I am an Expert in such. All you need is a foundation design based on reliable soil examination

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opalu:
DAYSTAR SHELTER VISION:

TO DELIVER 20 MILLION HOUSES BY YEAR 2020


^{All things Are Possible}!

Do you think there is a clear way of dismantling already laid 6"block without damaging it? cos a fence needs to come down and moved.

erico2k2:

Do you think there is a clear way of dismantling already laid 6"block without damaging it? cos a fence needs to come down and moved.

Yes and no.

I just did this and it depends on who long they have been set together. Expect quote a bit to be damaged but with the lax method that Nigerian builders use mortar you'll be abel to use quite a lot of the damaged ones.

EgunMogaji:


Yes and no.

I just did this and it depends on who long they have been set together. Expect quote a bit to be damaged but with the lax method that Nigerian builders use mortar you'll be abel to use quite a lot of the damaged ones.

well less than a month setting,Im realy pi **ssed of I have to do this

EgunMogaji:
Greetings.

I'm self designing a modest 2,500 square foot single level building.

For the DPC, do I need any steel reinforcements in the slab?

Thanks.

only an American would think a 2500 square foot home is "modest", to the restof the world, that's quite large. tell me what you need and maybe a site plan and i would design something smaller but equally efficient for you.

greenermodels:
only an American would think a 2500 square foot home is "modest", to the restof the world, that's quite large. tell me what you need and maybe a site plan and i would design something smaller but equally efficient for you.

There's nothing I need from you Sir, but thanks for offering but I'm good

In my book, 2,500 is quite modest for a family of my size. You didn't even bother to ask how many people will inhabit the structure or the intended usage of the structure. I suppose I should squeeze my family into a 500 square feet face me I face you. 2,500 is modest for me, 5,500 is ridiculous and a waste for me but might not be for someone that can actually use it who has a large family.

But good luck with that monkey on your back though

erico2k2:

well less than a month setting,Im realy pi **ssed of I have to do this

So this is why I'm painstakingly pouring over my site plan and designing a structure that I want and will fit my lifestyle - (God granted me an Architect that has the patience of a saint in Darynex).

When you change plans in midstream it gets expensive i you;r lucky and outright dangerous if changes are not done properly.

Just be thankful this is in Nigeria, 6 inches are only N120 (at least in Ibadan) and labour is dirt cheap.

But of course with my best intention I had to shift a fence line. You know what hurts? I'm going to possibly shift it again - aaaargghhhh

EgunMogaji:


So this is why I'm painstakingly pouring over my site plan and designing a structure that I want and will fit my lifestyle - (God granted me an Architect that has the patience of a saint in Darynex).

When you change plans in midstream it gets expensive i you;r lucky and outright dangerous if changes are not done properly.

Just be thankful this is in Nigeria, 6 inches are only N120 (at least in Ibadan) and labour is dirt cheap.

But of course with my best intention I had to shift a fence line. You know what hurts? I'm going to possibly shift it again - aaaargghhhh

ahah tell me about it, thing is, the vendor pointed a sport 8' into my neighbor's land,now we have realized I have surveyed 8 ft to the left, so I have to move 8ft to the right both fence 100 ft fence

EgunMogaji:

But good luck with that monkey on your back though

what monkey? i guess it's a figurative expression but i don't understand it.

who can tell me howmany bags of cement plus volume of concrete needed to do this german floor??