Blog Archives

Concept of Specific Area

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Let us start with the definition of an aggregate’s specific area. Specific area is defined as the grains’ surface area related to a unit mass, usually given in terms of square centimeter per gram (cm2/g). Fillers are tested in Europe with Blaine’s method* according to EN 196-6 (see Chapter 8). The measured specific area depends on how much the parent material was reduced in size (broken up or crushed). The more the material was milled (crushed), the finer the filler, and the larger its specific area.

An example will serve to illustrate the influence of gradation on specific area size. Let us take two fillers and call them A and B. Let them both pass completely (100%) through a 0.063-mm sieve. Laser analyzer tests reveal significant differences in the material smaller than 0.063 mm...

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Documenting What’s There

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

This section explains how to measure rooms and record the location and condition of the structure and mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling) as well as how to explore build­ing elements that affect design. Here, too, you learn how to map the site and consider how well exterior renovations will suit the neighborhood.

MEASURING ROOMS

Start by drawing a basic plan of each floor.

image63Подпись:Подпись:Подпись: Need beggar water heater

Подпись: Room Rater
Подпись: Rating YOUR ROOMS As you work up your wish list (program requirements), systematically rate how well each room works. Is the bedroom away, or at least screened, from a noisy street? Is the nursery or small child's bedroom near a bathroom? Is the home office inside of or detached from the main house? Does each room receive sunlight at optimal times? Are the rooms big enough for your furniture? Especially note conflicts within or between rooms, because such conflicts often generate useful design changes. Your room rating sheet might look something like the one shown here.

Using a 25-ft. retractable tape measure, record the overall dimensions of each room, noting the position of existing doors, windows, closets, fireplaces—anything that affects space. Take the time to record this information accurately. Be consistent in your measurements, always meas­uring to window and door jambs, not just to casings...

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Analysis*

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Assessment of the reliability of a hydrosystems infrastructural system or its components involves the use of probability and statistics. This chapter reviews and summarizes some fundamental principles and theories essential to relia­bility analysis.

2.1 Terminology

In probability theory, an experiment represents the process of making obser­vations of random phenomena. The outcome of an observation from a random phenomenon cannot be predicted with absolute accuracy. The entirety of all possible outcomes of an experiment constitutes the sample space. An event is any subset of outcomes contained in the sample space, and hence an event could be an empty (or null) set, a subset of the sample space, or the sample space itself...

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Runoff

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Runoff derives, principally, from rainfall falling on the pavement and surround­ing ground. Although surface water drainage falls outside the scope of this book, runoff becomes of interest as some soaks in through cracks or through pervious surfacings. The proportion soaking-in will vary depending on the rainfall pattern, road surface quality and the permeability of the road’s margins and surrounding earthworks. At the margins the water should be routed into a drainage system. If a positive drainage system is provided then kerbs or gullies will intercept the surface flow and feed it to gulley pots and/or a piped drainage system. From there, water may be fed to some disposal system – this may be a soakaway to the ground or it may be to a surface water course...

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Planning

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15
Подпись: Place a tissue-paper overlay on a measured floor plan to make a quick, accurate sketch.
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Planning is one of the most satisfying aspects of renovation. On paper, you can live imperially—fruit trees beneath the windows, Italian marble in the bathrooms. When you tire of that, you can remove the tiles and replant the trees… with an eraser. Of course, your finished plans will be a trade-off between what you’d pre­fer and what you can afford. Yet, during early stages of planning, feel free to let your imagina­tion run wild.

Creating a Home That Suits You

Your house should fit you. In the words of build­ing contractor Dean Rutherford, whose own home is featured near the end of this chapter, "For me, building is about creating a sense of who you are. A place of pause and reflection.

A place where you can be comfortable with your­self...

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Techniques READING FLOOR PLANS

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Techniques READING FLOOR PLANS

BUILDING A HOUSE REQUIRES that you learn more than one new language. Besides the termi­nology of building (plates, braces, lined walls, plumb, toenail, and the like), there’s also the visual vocabulary of lines, symbols, and notations found on building plans. Fortunately, most of these sym­bols are fairly easy to understand (see the illustra­tion at right). It’s important to become familiar with building plans so that you can begin to visual­ize, from a two-dimensional representation, what the house will look like with the walls framed and the fixtures and appliances in place. It’s far easier (and less expensive) to make a change at the plan­ning stage than after the walls and rough plumbing are in place.

 

SYMBOLS USED ON FLOOR PLANS

Wall ——

Window

Door (and di...

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Consultant or Contractor?

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

There are two schools of thought about whom to hire to perform a home-energy audit. One says that a disinterested third party is the most trustworthy opinion, while the other argues for the convenience of hiring someone who can pinpoint the improve­ments needed and then perform the work.

Brian Smith of Energy Saving Comfort Systems (www. escs1.com) prides himself on the fact that his company isn’t selling any­thing other than testing services. When he sits down with customers to review what his blower door and infrared camera have detect­ed, they know that "I’m not then going to try to sell them new windows or a furnace." CMC’s Luxton concurs: "We feel strongly that an audit should be performed by an unbiased person."

John Jennings is an energy auditor with Steven Winter Associates, an ...

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Chronic Illness from "Harmless" Pesticide

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Barbara Adler was in good health until March 1996, when she experienced the sudden onset of severe migraine headaches, loss of energy, fre­quent dizzy spells, and difficulty concentrating. She consulted with a neurologist and many other health care practitioners overthe ensuing months, but none was able to help relieve her symptoms or shed light on the cause of her deteriorating health.

At some point in her search for wellness, she reviewed the journal she had been keeping in which she recorded significant events in her life. She noted that, around the time of the onset of her symptoms, her husband had purchased a bug spray from one of the local nurseries. He was told that the insecticide would be appropriate for the bugs on his houseplants...

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STEP 4 Secure the Building Permits

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

It’s not uncommon for builders or owner – builders to view the local building department as enemy turf. Let me suggest that your build­ing experience will be immeasurably more positive, productive, and efficient if you view the building department as a resource and think of the building inspector as someone who can help you. Certainly there are excep­

STEP 4 Secure the Building Permits

tions, as there are in any field, but, by and large, building departments and building inspectors exist to protect prospective home – owners from unscrupulous or incompetent builders and owner-builders from themselves. The building inspector knows the building codes, which have been developed over the years to ensure that safe, durable houses are built. Your building inspector has the same goals that vou do...

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Worker Protection during Removal of Lead-Based Paint

Posted by on 11/ 11/ 15

Workers involved in removal, containment, and handling of lead-based paint must be pro­tected against lead hazards. Blood poisoning has historically been a serious job hazard dur­ing bridge painting and likewise dangerous during the removal of lead-based paint. In addition, enclosing the work area to capture the blasting grit and waste paint creates a con­fined area for the workers, increasing the potential level of exposure and health risk.

Guidance developed by the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) included in its publication Lead in Construction identifies proper health and safety procedures to be observed by painting contractors...

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