MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS FOR PROBLEMS IN CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE

Ara. Kalaimaran, Engineering Services Division, CSIR- Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
[Journal No: Vol.75, June.2005, Published by Association of Engineers (India), Kolkata]

ABSTRACT
The construction industry is one of the major industries for providing infrastructure facilities. Some practical
problems arise during execution of construction of projects. Attempt has been made to find out solutions
(mathematical formulae) for few common problems. These formulae are very useful for those who are engaged in
the execution of civil construction works such as Site Engineers, Supervisors etc.
Key words:
Staircase, Tread, Riser, Waist Slab, Centering & Shuttering, Curtailment of reinforcement, Construction joints of
flooring pattern and Chemical dilution.

NOMENCLATURES
a = Dimension of side a in metre,
b = Dimension of side b in metre
c = Clear cover to the reinforcement
d = Overall depth of waist slab
p1 = Percentage of concentration of chemical brought at site.
p2 = Required percentage of concentration of chemical after dilution.
q = Width of that particular landing
r = Dimension of riser
s = r 2 + t 2
t = Dimension of tread
w = Width of vertical support
xt = Distance of the crank of top steel reinforcement at junction of upper end of waist slab and landing.
xb = Distance of the crank of bottom steel reinforcement at junction of upper end waist slab and landing.
xt = Distance of crank of top steel reinforcement at junction of lover end of waist slab and landing.
xb = Distance of the crank of bottom steel reinforcement at junction of lower end of waist slab and landing.

MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
In construction works, the Site Engineers will have to face a lot of technical problems during execution such as (i) to
achieve exact size of tread, riser & thickness of waist slab of staircase, (ii) to determine the exact location of crank
for steel reinforcement in waist slab of stairs, (iii) to estimate length of joints in between tiles/ stones/ blocks slab or
length of grooves for expansion joint in pattern flooring, and (iv) to ensure the mix proportion of chemical and water
when diluting any chemical compositions.

Some lengthy calculations are required to solve these problems. It is also impossible to do mathematical derivations
every time at site. Moreover, it is not sure that everybody is having mathematical knowledge to derive equations. So
the problems, which are mainly arise during execution have been analyzed and formulae derived mathematically.
The Author has practically applied all these formulae in various projects of Construction of multistoried RCC
framed structure buildings. These formulae have been given in the following paragraphs.

To achieve exact sizes of tread, riser & waist slab of staircase

Staircase, one of the essential provisions in any building, is used to go up & down from one floor to another floor. In
most of the constructions, the treads/ risers of staircase are uneven due to improper position of shuttering for bottom
of waist slab. In most of the cases, these are not being properly positioned, since the existing practice is that the
method of empirical formula is being adopted. Sometimes dummy walls are constructed to mark the cross-sectional
layout of steps to identify the location of shuttering which leads to waste of materials, manpower, and time.
However, it is also not effective to achieve the efficiency of accuracy. The exact position of shuttering can be
determined and exact dimensions of steps (tread & riser) and thickness of waist slab can be achieved by using the
following formulae.

(i) Fig. 3.1 is the typical examples of details of staircase and landing from floor level to first landing (First flight).
( ) ( )
= [1]

 ( ) ( )
=+( ) [2]

Fig. 1: Cross-Section of RCC Staircase upto first Landing

(ii) Fig. 3.2 is the typical examples of details of staircase and landing from first landing to second landing (Second
flight).

(2 2 ) + (2 )
= ( ) [3]

Fig. 2: Cross-Section of RCC Staircase after first Landing

To determine the exact distance of the crank of steel reinforcement in waist slab
To place the reinforcement & to maintain the exact cover to reinforcement evenly, the distance of the crank of steel
reinforcement can be calculated by the following formulae. Fig. 3 is the typical example of Staircase and position of
steel reinforcement.
(i) The formula for distance of the crank of top steel reinforcement (Ref: Fig. 3) is given by
( ) ( )
= + ( ) [4]

Fig. 3: Detail of Reinforcement in RCC Staircase upto first Landing

(ii) The formula for distance of the crank of top steel reinforcement (Ref: Fig. 3) is given by
( ) ( )
= + ( ) [5]

(iii) The formula for distance of the crank of top steel reinforcement (Ref: Fig. 4) is given by
( ) + ( )
= { } [6]

(iv) The formula for distance of the crank of top steel reinforcement (Ref: Fig. 4) is given by
( ) ( ) + ( + )
= + ( ) [7]

Fig. 4: Detail of Reinforcement in RCC Staircase after first Landing

To estimate length of joints in between tiles/stone slab or length of grooves for expansion joint in pattern
flooring / RCC pavements
The exact quantity of length of expansion joints such as glass strips or aluminum strips for the flooring pattern,
which are mostly used in common practice, can be estimated by following formulae.

(i) Rectangular pattern with straight / staggered joint (Fig.5 and 6)

Fig. 5 is the typical example of rectangular pattern flooring with straight joint and Fig. 6 is the typical example of
rectangular pattern flooring with staggered / zjg-zag joint.
The formula for length of joints per unit area for both straight / staggered / zig-zag joint is given below

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Rectangle
1
100

(a + b)
Length of joint per unit floor area =
ab
Table-5: Dimensions details of tile/ stone

Fig. 5.1: Flooring pattern of rectangular tile/ stone with straight joint
 Fig. 5.2: Flooring pattern of rectangular tile/ stone with zig-zag joint

(ii) Hexagonal pattern without interval (Ref: fig. 6)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Hexagon 3 2 2
=( ) 100
2 (3)b 2

2 1.1547
=
a 3 a
Table-6: Dimensions of Hexagonal tile/ block
 Fig. 6: Flooring pattern of Hexagonal blocks with closed interval

(iii) Hexagonal pattern with trapezoidal (rhombus) interval (Ref: Fig. 7)

Sometimes two different slabs/tiles or different colours for hexagon and trapezoid will be provided. The following
formula is given to estimate the requirement of two different items separately.

Shape of the Picture of the block Area of a block % of block area No. of blocks per
Block over total area unit area

3 2 33
Hexagon ( )= = 75 =
2 4b 2

2 3
( )= = 25 =
Diamond 23 2b 2

5 1.4434
Length of joints per unit area =
2 3

Ratio of area of Hexagons & Trapezoidals = 3: 1

Table-7: Dimensions of Hexagonal and Diamond tile/ block
 Fig. 7: Flooring pattern of Hexagonal and Diamond tile/ stone

(iv) Hexagonal pattern with triangular interval (Ref; fig. 8)

Sometimes two different types slabs/tiles or two different colours for hexagon and triangle will be provided. The
following formula is given to estimate the requirement of two different items separately.

Shape of the Picture of the block Area of a block % of block area No. of blocks per
Block over total area unit area

3 2 3
Hexagon = 75 =
2 2b 2

Equilateral 2 3
= 25 =
Triangle 43 b2

3 1.7321
Length of joint per unit area =
b b

Ratio of area of Hexagons & Trapezoidals = 2: 1

Table-8: Dimensions of Hexagonal and Equilateral triangle tile/ block

 Fig. 8: Flooring pattern of Hexagonal and Equilateral triangle tile/ stone

(v) Star (8 point) pattern

Fig.9 is the Star pattern flooring with alternate arrangement of stars having projects groves and stars having indented
grooves.
Sometimes two different slabs/ tiles or two different colours for stars having projected grooves and stars having
indented grooves will be provided. The following formula has been given to estimate the requirement of two
different items separately.

The ratio of area of squares having indented groves and area of squares having projected groves

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of block area over No. of blocks
the Block total area per unit area

1
[22(2 1)]a2 2(2 1) 100
Block-I 2a2

1
2(2 1)a2 (2 1) 100
Block-II 2a2
 42(2 1) 2.343
Length of joints per unit area =

Ratio of area of Block I & II = 2: 1 1.414: 1

Table-9: Dimensions of male and female 8-point Star tile/ block

Fig. 9: Flooring pattern of 8-point male and female Star tile/ block

(vi) Star pattern of 6-point Star and Diamond (Rhombus) (Fig. 10)
Sometimes two different slabs/tiles or two different colours for star and Rhombus will be provided. The following
formula has been given to estimate the requirement of two different items separately.

Area of a % of block area over No. of blocks

Shape of the Block Picture of the block
block total area per unit area

Block-I 1
(Star of 8- point) 23b2 50%
43b 2

b2 3
Block-II 50%
(Diamond) 3 2b 2
 56
Length of joints per unit area =
9b
Ratio of area of Block I & II = 1: 1

Table-10: Dimensions of 6-point Star and Diamond tile/ block

Fig. 10: Flooring pattern of 6-point Star and Diamond tile/ block

(vi) Diamond (Rhombus) flooring (Fig.11)

Sometimes two different slabs/tiles or two different colours for star and Rhombus will be provided. The following
formula has been given to estimate the requirement of two different items separately.

Area of a % of block area over No. of blocks

Shape of the Block Picture of the block
block total area per unit area

Block-I
(Light Grey b2 3
50%
Diamond) 3 2b 2

Block-II b2
(Dark Grey 50% 3
Diamond) 3 2b 2
 2
Length of joints per unit area =
b
Ratio of area of Block I & II = 1: 1

Table-11: Dimensions of 6-point Star and Diamond tile/ block

Fig. 11: Flooring pattern of 6-point Star and Diamond tile/ block

(vii) A pattern of octagon alternate arrangement of square block and intermediate bone shape blocks (Fig. 12)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks over No. of blocks
the Block total area per unit area

2(1 + 2)b2 1 + 2 1
Octagon ( ) 100
3 + 22 3 + 22 2 2

b2 1 + 2 1
Square ( ) 100
3 + 22 3 + 22 2 2

Damroo 2 1
50
2 2
 8
Length of joint per unit area =
(1 + 2)b

Table-12: Dimensions of 6-point Star and Diamond tile/ block

Fig. 12: Flooring pattern of Octagonal, Damroo and Square tile/ block

(viii) Octagon pattern with close interval filled with square blocks (Ref: Fig. 13)

Shape of the Picture of the block Area of a block % of block area over No. of blocks
Block total area per unit area

2(1 + 2)b2 2(1 + 2) 1

Octagon [ ] 100
3 + 22 3 + 22 2

b2 1 1
[ ] 100
Square 3 + 22 3 + 22 2

6
Length of joints per unit area
(1 + 2)b
Table-13: Dimension of Octagon and Square tile/ block
 Fig. 13: Flooring pattern of Octagonal and Square tile/ block

(ix) A pattern of Damroo shape blocks without interval (Fig. 14)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Damroo 2 2
100
2 2

8
Length of joint per unit floor area
(1 + 2)b
Table-14: Dimensions of Damroo tile/ block
 Fig. 14: Flooring pattern of Damroo tile/ block

(ix) A pattern of pot shape blocks flooring without interval (Fig. 15)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Pot- shape 33 2 1
100
8 3 2

16
Length of joint per unit floor area
93d
Table-15: Dimensions of Pot shape tile/ block
 Fig. 15: Flooring pattern of pot shape tile/ block

(x) A pattern of I-blocks of rounded edges flooring without interval (Fig. 16)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

I-Block of rounded d2 2
100
edge 2 2

Length of joint per unit floor area
d
Table-16: Dimensions of I-blocks of rounded edges tile/ block
 Fig. 16: Flooring pattern of I-block of rounded edge

(xi) A pattern of Jigsaw blocks of Rounded edges flooring without interval (Fig. 17)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Jigsaw - shape 1
a2 100
a2

+2
Length of joint per unit floor area
a
Table-17: Dimensions of Jigsaw tile/block
 Fig. 17: Flooring pattern of Jigsaw tile/ block

(xii) A pattern of Tri-hex blocks flooring without interval (Fig.18.1 and 18.2)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Tri-Hex 93a2 2
100
2 93a2

4
Length of joint per unit floor area
33a
Table-18: Dimensions of Tri-hex tile/block
 Fig. 18.1: Flooring pattern of Tri-hex tile/ block

Fig. 18.2: Flooring pattern of Tri-hex tile/ block

(xviii) Pattern of Grass paver blocks with Square flooring (Fig.19)

 Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

7a2 10
100 %
Grass Paver 10 7a2

2(8 + 2)
Length of joint per unit floor area =
7a
Table-19: Dimensions of I-block

Fig. 19: Flooring pattern of I-block

(xix) A pattern of Full moon and spider blocks flooring (Fig.20)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of % of area blocks No. of blocks

the Block a block over total area per unit area

9 2
Spider (9 2)a2 100 1
9
9 30.19 % a2
 2
2a2 100 1
Full Moon 9
9 69.81 % a2

2(3 + 2 22)
Length of joint per unit floor area =
3a
Table-20: Dimensions of Full moon and spider tile/block

Fig. 20: Flooring pattern of Full moon and Spider block

(xiii) A pattern of Zig-zag (Uni paver) blocks of Rounded edges flooring without interval (Fig.21)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Single Zig-Zag 17a2 16

100
16 17a2

32
Length of joint per unit floor area
17a
Table-21: Dimensions of Zig-Zag block
 Fig. 21: Flooring pattern of Zig-zag tile/ block

(xiv) A pattern of Double Zig- Zag (Uni paver) blocks flooring without interval (Fig.22.1-22.4)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a % of area blocks No. of blocks

the Block block over total area per unit area

Double Zig-Zag 17a2 8

100
8 17a2

18
Length of joint per unit floor area
17a
Table. 22: Dimensions of Double Zig- Zag (Uni paver) blocks
 Fig. 22.1: Flooring pattern of tile/ block

Fig. 22.2: Flooring pattern of Double Zig Zag tile/ block

 Fig. 22.3: Flooring pattern of tile/ block

Fig. 22.4: Flooring pattern of tile/ block

(xv) A pattern of Key-Hole shape flooring without interval (Fig.23.1-23.4)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a % of area blocks No. of blocks

the Block block over total area per unit area

Lock-Hole shape
25a2 18
100%
18 25a2

6(8 + 2)
Length of joint per unit floor area =
25a
Table-23: Flooring pattern of Key-Hole tile/ block

Fig. 23.1: Flooring pattern of Key-Hole tile/ block

Fig. 23.2: Flooring pattern of Key-Hole tile/ block

Fig. 23.3: Flooring pattern of Key-Hole tile/ block

 Fig. 23.4: Flooring pattern of Key-Hole tile/ block

(xvi) A pattern of Olympia/ Vintage blocks flooring without interval (Fig.24)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a % of area blocks No. of blocks

the Block block over total area per unit area

Olympia/Vintage

a2 2
100
2 a2

3 + 2
Length of joint per unit floor area =
3a
Table-24: Flooring Pattern of Olympia/ Vintage blocks
 Fig. 24: Flooring pattern of Olympia/Vintage tile/ block

(xviii) Pattern of Verona blocks with Square flooring (Fig.25)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Verona
3
2a2 100 %
2a2
3

+3
Length of joint per unit floor area =
2a
Table-25: Dimensions of Verona block
 Fig. 25: Flooring pattern of Verona tile/ block

(xvii) A pattern of Doctor Compounder blocks flooring without interval (Fig.26)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a % of area blocks No. of blocks

the Block block over total area per unit area
Doctor
compounder
3a2 1
100
4 a2

8
Length of joint per unit floor area =
3a
Table-26: Dimensions of Doctor compounder
 Fig. 26: Flooring pattern of Doctor compounder blocks

(xviii) A pattern of Doctor compounder blocks with Square flooring (Fig.27)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

Doctor
3a2 1
compounder 75%
4 a2

a2 1
Square 25%
4 a2

3
Length of joint per unit floor area =
a
Table-27: Dimensions of Doctor compounder blocks and Square block
 Fig. 27: Flooring pattern of Doctor compounder with square blocks

(xviii) Pattern of Grass paver X blocks with Square flooring (Fig.28)

Shape of Picture of the block Area of a block % of area blocks No. of blocks
the Block over total area per unit area

a2
Actual area 1
Grass paver- X 67.86%
a2 (14 ) a2
=
16

a2 ( + 2)
Area of each grass =
16
Table-28: Dimensions of Grass paver- X
 Fig. 28: Flooring pattern of tile/ block Grass paver- X

Note:
(i) The thickness of joints was not taken into account in the formulae, since it is normally comparatively
very thin and therefore. In case, if the thickness of joints is heavy, the estimated value of length of
joints, which is calculated by the above formula may be multiplied by the actual thickness of joints to
get the area of joints and the same be deducted from the floor area to get exact area of tiles/block slabs.
(ii) The length of outer peripheral joints, if any, will be added with the above value to get the total length
of joints of complete room or hall etc.
(iii) The pattern is assumed to be symmetric in both direction of any room/hall/etc.
(iv) All the above formulae are more effective, when the floor area of each room / hall is large.
(v) The result of these formulae may be slightly varied due to un-symmetric shape of extreme tiles/block
slabs/pattern.

To ensure the correct mix proportion of chemical and water when diluting any chemical composition
The dilution of chemical is required in construction work such as (i) Anti-termite treatment (ii) Disinfection of inner
wall surfaces of existing water tanks by using Hydrochloric acid etc. The instructions/ details regarding dilution
given in CPWD Specification1 is not sufficient to the Site Engineer to ensure the exact required concentration (Mix
proportion of water and chemical of different concentrations). The exact mix proportion can be determined from the
following formula.
1 2
The ratio of Chemical and water = 1: ( )
2
Where, P1 is the concentration of chemical as per manufacturer available at market and P2 is the
concentration of chemical to be diluted for application.

CONCLUSION
Mathematical formulae given in this article are very useful for those who are engaged in the execution of civil
construction work such as Site Engineers, Supervisor etc.

REFERENCE
1. Clause 2.26.1.0 of Central Public Works Dept., New Delhi Specification Vol. 1