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Pool Construction Tips

Hi, I'm Mandy. If you're looking for tips on pool construction, you've come to the right place. We've just had a new pool installed and I'm full of advice! When I started on our pool I thought it would be an easy build. Boy, was I wrong. I didn't know anything about building a pool apart from the fact I wanted one. Luckily, our construction company set me straight. They helped me work out how big the pool could be and they showed me which shape would suit our yard space. They sorted out permits and even gave me advice on fencing. To find out what I learned, read through my blog. Hope it helps!

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The Process Involved in Building a Dam

by Bessie Beck

Civil works is a sub-branch of the broader civil engineering fields. It focuses on the design, construction and maintenance of naturally and physically built environments. Typically, a built environment is the large-scale amenities people need for their social and economic sustenance. They include structures such as canals, roads, dams, airports and bridges. They are large to the extent that they can affect the natural environment by changing climates or significant alteration of the existing landscape. In this piece, the focus is on constructing one of the mega structures included in the civil works sub-branch — dams. Here is an in-depth look at the steps involved: 

Redirecting the River

Usually, the construction of a dam happens across a river to tap into the continuous flow of water and create a water reservoir. In some cases, the construction of the dam happens in valleys with streams of water that add to the storage area needed before transporting the water somewhere else. The first step in building a dam is redirecting the flow of the river to create room for the incoming structures. Specialised excavators create separate channels for the flowing water. When the river is too wide, dry construction pits are set up beside the river while allowing the water to flow through the alternative side.

Setting the Dam's Foundation

The next step is to prepare the foundation for the dam. Usually, dam foundations sit on rocks or firm soil profiles, and an essential aspect is that the foundation must be strong enough to sustain the dam's weight. Any areas of weak soils below the foundation are extracted and replaced by more robust materials. The contractors also use grout to fill fissures and cracks in the foundation.

Concreting Process

Concrete is the material of choice for dam construction. Contractors set up a concrete batching facility on the site, considering the amount of concrete needed for the project. If the dam is too large, the contractors will set up multiple batching plants. The traditional concrete pouring technique involves pouring the wet concrete mixture into a mould made to mimic the dam. Typically, the builders use timber to make the mould, and they will pour the concrete in stages of one to two metres. They allow the layer to dry before pouring the next phase of concrete layers. The repetition happens until the dam reaches its full height.

Alternatively, you can also go for a roller-compacted concrete dam made by spreading dry concrete mixes and compacting the concrete with heavy rollers. Here, the builders start by making the edges of the dam before raising the structure in steps.

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