Mechanical properties and acoustic behaviour of screed Essay

Mechanical properties and acoustic behaviour of screed - Essay Example The topping thus made is a layer of high strength concrete, with better mechanical properties than other finishing matrial used ordinarily on the surface bases........(1) However, due to the poor surface finishes available at sites, it is advisable to use screed adequately while making correct leveling for the laying of screed to get the required smooth finish. Proper tools like trowels are used for this purpose. The general guidelines for laying a screed layer provide that there should not be any deviation of more than 3mm over a length of 3 meters, to get the smooth and level floor of good quality. The figure shows the deviation curve for the screed layer on a concrete surface over a 3-meter length, with datum level as reference point...........(2) There are mainly two types of screeds, bonded and monolithic screeds. The difference lies in their application. While bonded screed is applied to a hardened concrete floor surface, monolithic screed is applied at the time of laying the concrete flooring itself. This type of screed is applicable only on strong and hardened concrete that has a characteristic strength of more than 20MPa, as the bonding of adhesive is not possible for screed with weak concrete. Moreover, the screed layer cannot fill any cracks on the base floor and therefore the crack will show up over a period. The base concrete surface should be smooth and level to allow a screed layer of approximately 25 mm. thickness, being in the range of 15 to 40 mm.. The preparation of base concrete should be such that it is hardened uniformly, free of oil or dirt, If there is a presence of any earlier screed layers, then same need to be removed by scrapping allover, as the cleaning at edges or pecking at intervals will not be sufficient. The surface should be vacuum cleaned with high air pressure to free it of all dust particles. For this purpose, a mixture of sand and cement should be

IT in the Workplace and how It Affects Work-life Balance Research Paper

IT in the Workplace and how It Affects Work-life Balance - Research Paper Example The virtual world of the internet has taken personal and work lives by storm in entering a deep zone of human consciousness and subconsciousness. (Duxbury 15) It has become a near involuntary exercise to stay in the world of the Internet due to the worldwide acceptance and need for this technology in professional, social and financial spheres of life. The advent of the Internet, Internet Rich Applications, and Smart Devices together have led to the fading of boundaries between work and personal life. While holding a Smartphone in hand there is a possibility of getting a notification from one’s employer about an upcoming task or an urgent call to made that very day, or perhaps a call from a client or boss. Hardware devices like Smartphones, PDAs, Tablets, and Pads have affected work-life balance to a great extent. The introduction of such devices in one’s life has led to 24 X 7 seamless connections with the Internet, email accounts, instant messengers, office network etc. This increases the chance of being contacted for official work on weekends, vacations or even while one is sick. Randstad Work Monitor Report for Quarter 1 2012 revealed that majority of employees in Singapore struggle to achieve work-life balance as technology infiltrated daily lives and virtually resulting in being connected to the office while attending to personal and social life. (Asia One 1) A Canadian researcher, Linda Duxbury, through her focused study has found that tools like emails, blackberry, instant messenger, professional networks, PDAs, laptops, pads, Palmtop PDAs have increased the expectations of being available anywhere and anytime. It adds to the stress and burden of the employee and raises hopes of managers expecting people to reply and respond to messages or answer calls even when they are away from work. (The Conversation 1) It indeed makes one stressed if he or she is not able to attend a phone call or reply to a mail or message immediately.