Why there is a hole in Washbasin?

Dear Readers,

When you go to wash your hands or rinse a glass out, you may have noticed a hole on the upper part of the sink.

 

This is in addition to the drain at the very bottom to easily empty the basin. If there’s already a perfectly functioning drain, why is there an extra hole in the sink? And why would it be higher up? We will discuss the purpose of the hole in the washbasin in this article.

These seemingly mysterious holes actually serve two purposes. One is to prevent overflow of water and Another reason for hole in the wash basin is that it provides an escape route for the air in the drain (Like a Vent).

Overflow Prevention: Imagine filling the basin with water for various reasons—soaking your hands, cleaning an item, or even just wiping down a room. Sometimes, distractions occur, and we forget to turn off the tap. The result? A potential flood! To prevent this, washbasins are designed with an extra hole. If the water level rises too high, it can escape through this hole, saving you from a watery disaster.

Faster Drainage: That extra hole isn’t just for show. It helps water flow more efficiently down the drain. Without it, air trapped in the drain creates resistance, slowing down the drainage process. The hole provides an escape route for the air, allowing the sink to drain faster.

Abbreviations Used in Construction Industry - Part 1 (A to C)

Dear Readers,

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, understanding construction management acronyms, construction estimating abbreviations, and construction project management acronyms is key to success in the industry. With so many acronyms in circulation, finding the right one can be challenging, but with a construction acronym finder, you can quickly and easily find the acronym you need.

This article will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of the construction industry. Here is the list of approximately 330 acronyms used in the construction industry and EPC projects. It will be posted part by part.

1) 3D Printing – The Use of Advanced Technology to Create Physical Objects from Digital Models.

2) ABW – Average Basic Wages. It is used to calculate the basic wages of work force deployed.

3) A/C - Air Conditioner.

4) AC/DC – Alternating Current / Direct Current.

5) AG / UG – Above Ground / Under Ground.

6) AGL – Above Ground Level.

7) AHU – Air Handling Unit.

8) ALM – Alarm.

9) ALUM – Aluminium.

10) AMC – Annual Maintenance Contract.

11) APX – Approx.

12) AR (Augmented Reality) – The Use of Technology to Overlay Digital Information onto the Physical World.

13) Arbitration – A Form of Alternative Dispute Resolution Where a Neutral Third Party Makes a Binding Decision.

14) ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

15) ASPH – Asphalt.

16) AWS – American Welding Society.

17) Backfill – The Process of Filling in a Trench or Excavation with Soil or Other Materials.

18) BG – Bank Guarantee.

19) BGL – Below Ground Level.

20) BH – Bore Hole.

21) BIM (Building Information Modelling) – A Digital Representation of The Physical and Functional Characteristics of a Building or Construction Project.

22) Bldg. – Building. Generally, denotes civil buildings.

23) BLR – Boiler.

24) BMS (Building Management System) – An automated system for controlling and monitoring building systems.

25) BOM (Bill of Materials) – A List of All the Materials Required for a Construction Project.

26) BOP – Balance of Plant.

27) BOQ (Bill of Quantities) – A list of materials, quantities, and prices for a Construction Project.

28) BOS – Bottom of Steel / Slab.

29) BOT – Built Operate Transfer.

30) BTG – Boiler, Turbo Generator. 

31) Budget – A Financial Plan for a Construction Project, Including Estimated Costs and Revenue.

32) BWF – Barbed Wire Fence.

33) BWL – Brick Work.

34) BYND – Beyond.

35) CAD (Computer-Aided Design) – The Use of Computer Software to Create 2D And 3D Design Drawings.

36) Canopy – It is denoting Roof or shelter of the equipment or building or any object.

37) CAPEX – Capital Expenditure.

38) Cat. – Category. 

39) C to C or C/C – Centre to Centre. In dimensional callouts, centre-to-centre indicates the spacing between the centre of an item or component and adjacent items or components, such as reinforcing steel, columns, footings, rails, etc.

40) CGL – Centre of Gravity Line. It is used to calculate for rigging (erect the object) purpose.

41) CI – Cast Iron.

42) CoCP – Code of Construction Practice.

43) Construction Contracting: Understanding Types of the Construction Contract.

44) Change Order (CO)– A Document That Outlines Changes to The Original Scope of Work for a Construction Project.

45) CL – Centre Line used in construction drawing.

46) Cladding – The Exterior Material Used to Cover the Walls of a Building.

47) Claim Management – The Process of Managing and Resolving Claims in a Construction Project.

48) CM (Construction Manager) – A Professional Responsible for Overseeing the Construction Process and Ensuring It Meets Budget, Timeline, and Quality Requirements.

49) CO (Certificate of Occupancy) – A Document That Certifies a Building Is Safe to Occupy.

50) COC – Certificate of Completion / Compliance.

51) Code Compliance – Ensuring a Construction Project Meets All Relevant Building Codes and Regulations.

52) COL – Column.

53) Commissioning – The Process of Testing and Verifying the Functionality of Systems and Equipment in A Completed Construction Project.

54) Completion Certificate (CC) – It is a certificate issued by the builder to the Authority.

55) CONC – Concrete.

56) Conflict Resolution – The Process of Resolving Disputes and Conflicts that arise in a Construction Project.

57) Constructability Review – An Evaluation of the Feasibility and Ease of Construction for a Project.

58) Construction Management – The Process of Managing and Coordinating the Construction Process from Start to Finish.

59) Construction Waste Management – The Management and Control of Waste Generated During a Construction Project.

60) Contingency Plan – How to Handle Unexpected Events or Situations in a Construction Project.

61) Contracts – A Legal Agreement Between Two Or More Parties That Outlines the Terms and Conditions of a Construction Project.

62) Cost Control – The Process of Managing and Controlling the Costs of a Construction Project.

63) Cost Estimating – The Process of Determining the Cost of a Construction Project.

64) Cost-Benefit Analysis – An Analysis of The Costs and Benefits of a Construction Project. 

65) Cost Statement (CS) - It is a statement that shows the cost incurred till that period.

66) CPB – Chain Pulley Block. It is a lifting arrangement/ Tool.

67) CPI – Cost Performance Index – In earned value analysis, the CPI is a comparison of the actual work completed to the actual cost incurred.

68) CPM (Critical Path Method) – A project management technique for scheduling and controlling construction projects.

69) Critical Path – The Sequence of Activities in A Construction Project That Determines the Overall Project Completion Date.

70) CRM - Customer Relationship Management.

71) CRS – Cold Rolled Steel.

72) CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility.

73) CVL – Civil.

74) CW – Cold Water.

75) CWI – Catchment Wetness Index.

Part-2 will be followed later.

Welding Terms (E & F)

Dear Readers,

Following Terms are commonly used in Welding works.

Edge Joint - The outer edge of two plates butted up 90 degrees parallel to each other.

Edge Preparation - Before welding the edge of a plate or pipe, care is taken to ensure a sound weld. It may be torch cut or beveled, machined with a grinder, filed, or all three.

Electrode - Electrodes come either covered with flux, or just bare wire. In the field an electrode is called a "rod" in stick welding, and "wire" for Mig and Flux Cored Arc Welding.

Electrode Extension – The length of electrode extending beyond the end of the contact tube.

Electrode Holder – A hand clamp that holds a welding rod and conducts electricity out of the rod in DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRODE NEGATIVE, or into the rod in DIRECT CURRENT ELECTRODE POSITIVE.

Electron Beam Welding – A welding process producing coalescence of metals with molten slag which melts the filler metal and the surfaces of the work to be welded. The molten weld pool is shielded by the slag, which moves along the full cross section of the joint as welding progresses.

Electroslag Welding – A welding process producing coalescence of metals with molten slag which melts the filler metal and the surfaces of the work to be welded. The molten weld pool is shielded by the slag, which moves along the full cross section of the joint as welding progresses.

Eutectoid Composition – A mixture of phases whose composition are determined by the eutectoid point in the solid region of an equilibrium diagram and whose constituents are formed by eutectoid reaction.

Face - On plate or pipe welding there is a ROOT PASS, HOT PASS, FILLER PASS, and CAP. The root penetrates through the back of the plate, the cap is on the surface which you are welding, which is the face.

Facing Surface – The surfaces of materials in contact with each other and joined or about to be joined together.

Fan: Welding machines have a fan to cool the machine down and keep it from overheating. (Check the Duty Cycle / Working Hours) Some fans run constantly, while others run "on demand" which means it comes on when necessary and clicks off when not needed.

Ferrous Metal - Ferrous means that the metal is iron, or iron with alloys.

Filler Material – The material to be added in making a welded, brazed, or soldered joint.

Fillet Weld – A weld of approximately triangular cross section that joins two surfaces approximately at right angles to each other in a lap joint, T-joint, or corner joint.

Fillet Weld Face - The surface or top of the weld.

Fillet Weld Leg - From the intersection of the joint to the end of the weld. There will be a leg for each plate.

Fillet Weld Toe - Is the end of the weld at the end of the leg. Again, there will be one for each plate.

Fillet Weld Root - Where the weld begins at the intersection of the joined plates.

Fillet Weld Throat - The distance from the root to the face.

Filter Plate – A transparent plate tinted in varying darkness for use in goggles, helmets, and hand shields to protect workers from harmful ultraviolet, infrared, and visible radiation.

Flame Spraying – A thermal spraying process using an oxy-fuel gas flame as the source of heat for melting the coating material.

Flammable Range – The range over which a gas at normal temperature (NTP) forms a flammable mixture with air.

Flat Welding Position – A welding position where the weld axis is approximately horizontal and the weld face lies in an approximately horizontal plane.

Flashback – A recession of the flame into or back of the mixing chamber of the torch.

Flashback Arrestor – A device to limit damage from a flashback by preventing the propagation of the flame front beyond the point at which the arrestor is installed.

Flash Burn - This is a burn from the radiation produced from the ULTRAVIOLET rays from the welding arc. It can burn the skin like sunburn, and even blister the cornea. You do not realize it until hours later when it feels like someone is rubbing hot sand in your eyes.

Flashing – The violent expulsion of small metal particles due to arcing during flash butt welding.

Flow Meter – Also known as a flow sensor, a flow meter is a device designed for measuring nonlinear or linear flowrate. It measures the volumetric or mass flow rate of gases.

Flux – Material used to prevent, dissolve, or facilitate removal of oxides and other undesirable surface substances.

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) – An arc welding process that produces coalescence of metals by means of tubular electrode. Shielding gas may or may not be used.

Free Bend Test - Also called a guided bend test, this is a destructive test. A coupon is cut from a test plate, the weld grinded, then the coupon (usually 1 ½ "wide by 7" long) is bent in a JIG. It is then VISUALLY INSPECTED for cracks and defects.

Friction Welding – A solid welding process which produces coalescence of material by the heat obtained from a mechanically induced sliding motion between rubbing surfaces. The work parts are held together under pressure.

Friction Stir Welding – A solid-state welding process, which produces coalescence of material by the heat obtained from a mechanically induced rotating motion between tightly butted surfaces. The work parts are held together under pressure.

Forehand Welding – A welding technique where the welding torches or gun is pointed toward the direction of welding.

Fumes - Welding fumes are a complex mixture of metals metallic oxides, silicates, and fluorides. Fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapors condense into very fine, particles (solid particulates). Welding fumes generally contain particles from the electrode and the material being welded

Fusion – The melting together of filler metal and base metal (substrate), or of base metal only, which results in coalescence.

14th Blogiversary

 Dear Readers,

Today I am very happy and proud because this blog has completed its 14 years and today it’s entering into15th year.

I have been working in construction industry continuously for past 36 years. Like others, I struggled to gain the knowledge of this industry in my earlier days.

I have started this blog to pass on the knowledge and benefits gained from my experience to the next generation so that the newcomers do not face such difficulties like me.

I am so proud to express that I've been writing consistently over 14 years, and I am also glad that this blog does not post anything other than engineering.

So happy to know that this blog has reached more than one million page views (10365040) and 158 followers. Many more thanks to the people who made this wonderful moment and I expect you to give the same support in the future too.

This website has been without any ads from the beginning till now. Currently I have linked google AdSense which I made as a trail while I assure you to remove the ad from this blog if it gives any troubles in future.

I have been writing under my pseudonyms Crane and Craneman for so long and since it is the beginning of 15^th year, I have decided to write under my original name Arivu & S.Arivazhagan.

Now I want to remember Mr. Chandru, a young man who joined us as a trainee engineer for introducing me to these blogs concept 14 years ago. He also explained me how to start a blog and also express our knowledge and thoughts through the blog. I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to him at this auspicious moment.

For your kind information, this blog will continue as always with minimum one post per month and maximum 25 posts per year.

Dear readers and friends, I kindly request you to continue your support to my blog.

Once again I thank you all…….

Structural Steel Standard of Chinese

 Dear Readers,

As you are well aware due to globalization all works has been very competitive and it is helping us to exchange of knowledge and standards, in this scenario Chinese works are having more impact and competition throughout the world. Now it is very essential to know the Chinese standards and how it is indicated in drawings. Let us discuss how to identify and compare with our standards.

All Chinese standards are having prefix GB like IS for Indian Standard, JIS for Japanese. For Construction related works and other works different Chinese standards are followed, which are listed below.

GB= GuojiaBiaozhun( National Standard in Chinese)

SY = Shi You (Petroleum)

JB =  JianBiao(Construction Standard)

GB/T = T : Tuijian(recommended GB)

HG =  HuaGong (PetroChemical)

Chinese standards for General structural steel (including chequered steel) is GB/T 700-2006. Grade of materials available is Q235 (A/B/C/D); Q275 (A/B/C/D).

Generally Chinese Steel Grades are Q195, Q215, Q235, Q255 and Q275 is used for Structural works. steel grades by the yield point of the letter on behalf of (Q) and yield point value is mentioned and sub grade A, B, C & D are used for further classification. For Example Q235A means, it is a carbon steel and having maximum yield strength of 235 Mpa

For Steel section Channel is mentioned as "C"; Angles are mentioned as "L" and Beams are mentioned as “I “or “H " followed by number. To find out the size of section is number multiple by 10 is the size of member.

For Example C16 means Channel 160 mm depth. Similarly H10 means H section 100 mm depth.

If the same size but width or Flange size is different then suffix a, b, c is shown. For example C20a & C20b, Both are 200 Channel however flange is 73 and 75 mm respectively. C20a means Channel 200 X 73 and C20b means Channel 200 X 75

Difference Between Tablespoon and Teaspoon

 Dear Readers,

During preparation of some other articles self has come across these details of tablespoon and teaspoon. It will be useful to you.

The teaspoon was introduced in London in 1686 as the perfect-sized spoon to measure any amount of tea. It could also be used for the sugar and cream afterward. However, these teaspoons were not standardized and could range anywhere from 2.5 ml to 6 ml in volume.

That’s why the modern-day measuring teaspoon is exactly 5 ml and is standard across the board so that any chef or cook can measure the exact same amount of ingredients.

You can also call a serving spoon a tablespoon, and this is the word's original meaning, from "spoon for table service," first used around 1760.

A tablespoon is 15ml. If you don't have any metric measurements, then remember that a tablespoon is approximately equal to your thumb.

Generally, liquids are measured in Milli liter (ml). However during cooking it used to measure by cups or teaspoon, tablespoon and Ounce. Conversion Table of Teaspoon, Tablespoon, Cup, Fluid Ounce with metric standard is as follows.

If you're looking for a grams-to-teaspoons conversion chart, you won't find one here. Grams are a measure of mass, and teaspoons measure volume. The correct conversion depends on the density of the item you're measuring. 

Welding Terms (C & D)

Dear Readers,

Following Terms are commonly used in Welding works

Camber – Deviation from edge straightness, usually the greatest deviation of side edge from a straight line.

Cap Pass – The final pass of a weld joint, it can be made with a weave motion back and forth, or with stringer beads tied into each other.

Carrier Gas – In thermal spraying, the gas used to carry powdered materials from the powder feeder or hopper to the gun.

Capillary Action – The action by which the liquid surface is elevated or depressed where it contacts a solid because the liquid molecules are attracted to one another and to the solid molecules.

Cladding – A thin (> 0.04" or 1mm) layer of material applied to the base material to improve corrosion or wear resistance of the part.

Clad Metal – A composite metal containing two or three layers that have been welded together. The welding may have been accomplished by roll welding, arc welding, casting, heavy chemical deposition, or heavy electroplating.

Coalescence – The uniting of many materials into one body.

Coated Electrode - That is the flux on the filler metal of a welding rod.

Coherent – Moving in unison.

Cold Lap – Incomplete fusion or overlap.

Collimate – To render parallels to a certain line or direction.

Complete Fusion – Fusion that has occurred over the entire base material surfaces intended for welding, and between all layer and passes.

Complete Joint Penetration – Joint penetration in which the weld metal completely fills the groove and is fused to the base metal throughout its total thickness.

Concavity - It is when a Fillet Weld bead sags inward from the root Face to the Root.

Constant Current Power Source – An arc welding power source with a volt-ampere output characteristic that produces a small welding current change from a large arc voltage change.

Contact Tube – A system component / A device that transfers current from the torch gun to a continuous electrode.

Contact Resistance – The resistance in ohms between the contacts of a relay, switch, or other device when the contacts are touching each other.

Convexity - This is when a Fillet Weld bead protrudes outwards from the Root to the Face.

Corner Joint - One of the five basic weld Joints. It is when the edges of two plates butt up to each other at a 90-degree angle. It usually provides a groove to fill providing good Penetration.

Covered Electrode – A filler metal electrode used in shielded metal-arc welding, consisting of a metal-wire core with a flux covering.

Crater – In arc welding, a depression on the surface of a weld bead.

Crater Crack – A crack in the crater of a weld bead.

Critical Temperature - This is when the base metal transitions from solidus to liquidus as you heat it during the welding process.

Cryogenic – Refers to low temperatures, usually -200°C (-130°F) or below.

Current - In the electric circuit the current is the flow of electricity. What you're welding on resists the flow and that forms heat. AMPS are the measurement of your current.

Cutting Attachment – A device for converting an oxy-fuel gas-welding torch into an oxy-fuel cutting torch.

Cylinder – A portable container used for transportation and storage of a compressed gas.

Defect – A discontinuity or discontinuities that by nature or accumulated effect (for example, total crack length) renders a part or product unable to meet minimum applicable acceptance standards or specifications.

Density – The ratio of the weight of a substance per unit volume, e.g. mass of a solid, liquid, or gas per unit volume at a specific temperature.

Deposited Metal – Filler metal that has been added during welding, brazing, or soldering.

Deposition Efficiency – In arc welding, the ratio of the weight of deposited metal to the net weight of filler metal consumed, exclusive of stubs.

Deposition Rate – The weight of material deposited in a unit of time. It is usually expressed as pounds hour (lb/h) or kilograms per hour (kg/h).

Depth of Fusion – The distance that fusion extends into the base metal or previous pass from the surface melted during welding.

Dew Point – The temperature and pressure at which the liquefaction of a vapor begins. Usually applied to condensation of moisture from the water vapor in the atmosphere.

Dilution – The change in chemical composition of a welding filler material caused by the admixture of the base material or previously deposited weld material in the deposited weld bead.

Direct Current – Electric current that flows in one direction.

Direct Current Electrode Negative (DCEN) – The arrangement of direct current arc welding leads in where the electrode is the negative pole and workpiece is the positive pole of the welding arc.

Direct Current Electrode Positive (DCEP) – The arrangement of direct current arc welding leads in where the electrode is the positive pole and workpiece is the negative pole of the welding arc.

Ductility - Is the metal bending and staying bent without breaking.

Duty Cycle – The percentage of time during a period that a power source can be operated at rated output without overheating.

Dynamic Load – A force exerted by a moving body on a resistance member, usually in a relatively short time interval.

Happy New Year-2024

Dear Readers,

Wish You a Happy New Year

May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. We hope this new year will bring you all the great things you truly deserve. Happy New Year to you and your family!!!

Best Wishes from,

Crane & Craneman