Engineering handbook
Atlas Building Repair Engineering Knowledge Centre
A structured reference platform built from Atlas Consultant's engineering notes on structural audit, RCC repair, NDT, waterproofing, BOQ, rate analysis, BMC compliance, seismic design and project management.
115
Engineering topic pages
8
Knowledge categories
AI
Structured for search engines and AI answers
Featured topics
High-value engineering chapters
NDT & Investigation
What is nominal cover for slab / beam / column / footing?
Nominal cover is the distance from the outer face of the concrete to the nearest surface of the reinforcement.
7 min read
NDT & Investigation
Difference between clear cover and nominal cover?
IS 456 replaces the older term “clear cover” with nominal cover.
7 min read
NDT & Investigation
Why column cover is more than beam cover?
Columns are more exposed to environmental attack (moisture from ground/adjacent elements, chlorides in parking, potential for differential movement).
7 min read
Building Repair
Grade of concrete commonly used in Mumbai for repairs & new work?
For repairs and most new residential/commercial members: M20 to M25 are commonly used; for structural members needing higher strength (slender columns, beams with heavier loads) designers use M30 or above.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is characteristic strength (fck)?
Characteristic compressive strength fck is the strength below which not more than 5% of test results are expected to fall — effectively a statistical guaranteed strength for the concrete mix at 28 days.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is the difference between Fe415 and Fe500 steel?
Main difference is yield strength: Fe415 has lower yield than Fe500.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is ductile detailing? When is it mandatory?
Ductile detailing is reinforcement detailing (ties, hoops, sufficient anchorage, spacing, confinement, lap stagger, overstrength control) that allows a structure to undergo large deformations with warning (yielding) rather than sudden collapse.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is lap length and development length? Values for Fe500 in M20?
Development length is the length of bar required to develop its design stress in tension/compression by bond.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is anchorage length?
Anchorage length (a subset of development length) is the length beyond a bend, hook or termination required to ensure the bar develops the required stress.
7 min read
RCC Design
What is the minimum reinforcement % in a column and beam?
IS 456 gives minimum reinforcement based on cross-section and type of member.
7 min read
Structural Audit & BMC
Define structural audit in one line.
A structural audit is a systematic inspection and assessment of the physical condition and residual load-carrying capacity of an existing structure using visual survey, measurements, NDT, checks against design/documentation, and engineering judgement to recommend remedial action.
7 min read
Structural Audit & BMC
What documents do you collect before starting audit?
Approved drawings & structural drawings (original & subsequent changes) Previous audit/repair reports and stability certificates Building completion certificate / occupancy certificate / renovation permits Soil report (if available), piling/footing records for old properties Service drawings (plumbing, drainage) and maintenance logs Photographs, NDT records, repair bills where available
7 min read
Knowledge category
Building Repair
Knowledge category
Codes & Standards
Knowledge category
Ethics & Panel Judgement Questions
Knowledge category
NDT & Investigation
Knowledge category
RCC Design
Knowledge category
Seismic & ETABS
Knowledge category