Several Critical Factors Must Be Taken Into Account When designing and constructing a precast portal to support a railway locomotive, especially one that needs to bear a “Class 1” load, several critical factors must be taken into account. These factors include the materials used, the structural design, and the strength of the concrete mix. This…
All buildings must have a strong, serviceable, stable, & durable design-Part B The structural design of buildings, whether it’s for residential or commercial purposes, serves as a crucial foundation for ensuring safety, stability, and longevity. Structural design is not a mere arrangement of materials but a meticulous process that necessitates professional expertise to meet rigorous…
A Fashionable Black Minimalist House In fashion, black is the colour that will always get a load of attention and recognition because of its depth of colour can simply make people and the place they live look fashionable. In home designing, black minimalist is the colour that can be said to be strong or bold….
The South African National Standard (SANS) 10400, also known as the Building Regulations, is a set of standards and regulations that govern the construction and maintenance of buildings in South Africa. These regulations cover various aspects of building design, construction, and safety to ensure that buildings are safe, healthy, and sustainable. The SANS 10400 regulations…
Five 3D-Printed house projects planned for the Netherlands By this time next year a town in The Netherlands, Eindhoven, will have its first few 3D-printed homes built and ready for people to live in. There are a few companies working together with Eindhoven University of Technology and the local municipality on Project Milestone. 3D-concrete printing…
How to Build Your Own Pergola This carefully designed, beautifully constructed wooden pergola looks rather grand and imposing. However, while it is certainly a relatively large-scale project, involving a fair amount of timber, there are no complicated joints, and you won’t need any specialised tools. You can simplify the project even further by buying ready-planed…
Understanding the Concept of Competent Persons & Competency When South Africa’s National Building Regulations were updated in 2008, several new definitions were added to the legislation, and some were rewritten. One of the most important changes was to the term competent person, because a “competent person” is now required to draw up plans and submit them…
New and Innovative Building Materials OMNI BLOCK Even though this innovative building material product was designed and patented by Denny Miller in 2003 it is still an innovative and up-to-date building product. Omni Block is an insulated “stand-alone” structural wall system. It does not require furring strips, additional insulation, or sheetrock to complete the wall,…
Planning House Extensions Whether you are building a new home or planning house extensions to an existing home, you are going to need building approval from your local authority. Even if you are simply opening up a wall or partitioning a room by erecting a new internal wall, most councils will insist on working drawings….
Dozens of Residents Die When Building Collapses January 20, 2012: A badly maintained apartment block which was home to some 50 people, collapsed like a pack of cards in Beirut this week, killing at least 25 people. A teenage girl and her grandmother, an elderly man (73), and several labourers from Sudan, Egypt, Jordan and…
Living in a House With High Ceilings Personally, I enjoy living in a house with high ceilings. They add a sense of spaciousness, at the same time allowing a greater amount of air to circulate around the room. Although of course, this means nothing unless there is adequate thermal insulation between the roof and the…