Wooden structures that have amazed the world

The world is filled with architectural marvels. Some are known for their longevity, some for being built ahead of their time, and others because of their unique characteristics. Today, purely wooden structures are rare because of advancements in construction materials. However, some architects have utilized nothing else but wood as primary construction material yet have wowed the world. Here are some of the most amazing wooden structures in the world today, courtesy of Reddy Kancharla.

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Superior Dome, Michigan

Most people would think that a stadium should be built on concrete and steel. But the Superior Dome of the Northern Michigan University proves them wrong. This 14-story dome covers 5.1 acres and is composed of fir decking that stretches over 108 miles. It just narrowly beats Tacoma Dome as the world’s largest wooden dome.

U Bein Bridge, Myanmar

Wood had been the common material used for building bridges until architects learned to utilize stone and concrete. However, some wooden bridges are still being used now. The world’s longest wooden bridge, the U Bein Bridge, was built in 1850. While it’s only 15 feet tall, it helps people cross the mud flats at Taungthaman Lake. Its length measures to about 3,960 feet.

Murray Grove, London

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Built in 2009, Murray Grove is currently the tallest timber structure in the world, with a height of 9 stories. According to Reddy Kancharla, everything about the grove is made of wood, including the lift, floor slabs, load-bearing walls, and floor slabs. Its builders boast that the structure has had no issue 10 years since its unveiling.

Reddy Kancharlahas more than 25 years of experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. This includes ten years of senior management experience. For more reads on engineering, visit thiswebsite.

Leadership in the field: Building a strong construction team

For the most part, construction work is both mentally and physically demanding. Construction teams will have little command over their work schedule while having to deal with health hazards, which can only be found in their profession. Foremen and other construction team leaders must care for workers under their watch, and at the same time, ensure that work is delivered excellently.

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Reddy Kancharla believes that stress management should be one of the focuses of a construction leader. Risky mishaps might happen when employees are unable to handle stress at work. Encourage mindfulness and focus instead of asking them to multi-task. Focusing on a single task and doing it effectively and efficiently is far better than doing different tasks all at once.

Collaboration and teamwork are two incredibly important qualities to develop in a team. Before hiring a construction worker, a leader must consider their interpersonal skills. Technical skills won’t promote harmony among others in the team. Red flags to watch out for include arrogance, stubbornness, and disinterest in another’s wellbeing. Continuous training and development should be offered to construction workers. This will bring their work to higher levels and build their confidence in their team.

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According to Reddy Kancharla, one key to building a strong and effective team is by having systems and procedures set in position even before hiring new members, ensuring a steady improvement in their work. Veteran workers must also be provided with training to make them feel up-to-date with the newest and best practices in the industry.

A civil engineer with more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation, Reddy Kancharla has worked in various companies, having served different positions. For similar reads, visit this blog.

The construction industry’s guide to managing megaprojects

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A megaproject requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. Unlike other infrastructures, projects of this scale involve stakeholders from public and private sectors seeking to make a huge impact on society. Civil engineer Reddy Kancharla believes that the key to a project's success lies in exceptional management. Unfortunately, most megaprojects experience setbacks because of poor coordination between the construction teams and other stakeholders. Here are some suggestions that might contribute to better management of these important projects:

Carefully consider the project scope

Since working on a megaproject requires working with government authorities and private firms, it is best to agree on take time in planning and strategizing to prevent conflicts and to manage expectations. Having worked in various civil construction projects, Reddy Kancharla understands the importance of raising awareness regarding the standards and requirements each sector involved is working with. For a project that might take not less than three years, there will be changes in cost and schedules. Megaprojects are marketed as infrastructures that aim to improve the lives of people. It is only fitting to spend time to ensure that all the costs and effort will be worth it.

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Agree on a reasonable timeline

Construction firms should take the lead when it comes to scheduling. Though there are many stakeholders involved, civil engineers, project managers, and other construction professionals know the processes involved in building a structure. Some megaprojects may take decades to complete because of its complexity and other unforeseen events. Having a contingency plan will allow construction firms to continue delivering high-quality services despite delays and changes. Before starting the project, all parties involved must agree on the project's scope and duration.

Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories and principles, practical solutions to engineering problems related to civil engineering and construction industry, and developing quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. He has more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation. Follow this page for updates.

How does a suspension bridge work?

For centuries, people have constructed bridges to cross bodies of water or deep chasms. Over the years, better and more sophisticated types of bridges have been built. According to engineering expert Reddy Kancharla, the suspension bridge is an engineering feat, the pinnacle of modern-day bridge-building.

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The first modern suspension bridge was erected in 1801 in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. The Jacob’s Creek Bridge was designed by James Finley. It used all the components that are utilized by modern suspension bridges. But the design has been used centuries before. In early Spanish expeditions in Peru, it was discovered that the Incan empire used hundreds of suspension bridges that spanned around 150 feet, connecting lands separated by mountain gorges.

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Here is how the bridge works. A suspension bridge has five primary components. These are the suspension cables, the main cable, the deck, towers, and anchorage. The way a suspension bridge works is by attaching large main cables across towers. The main cables are anchored by heavy structures at both ends of the bridge. Along the main cables, thinner suspension cables hang down and are attached to the deck, a flat surface which will be the primary road in which people and cars would use.

The result of this structure allows for equal force pulling inward on the towers and pulling outward as well. The weight of the deck is distributed evenly by the suspension cables, and the main cables pull down on the base of the towers.

Suspension bridges can span as little as 2,000 feet and up to 7,000 feet. According to Reddy Kancharla, suspension bridges are easily the top choice when engineers want to connect two pieces of land over a long distance.


Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering and the construction industry, and the development of quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. For more reads on engineering, visit this page.

Construction 101: Tips on setting and hitting deadlines

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With years of construction and engineering experience under his belt, Reddy Kancharla knows the non-negotiable nature of a feasible timeline. Projects have to set and hit deadlines. These are integral to the planning process, and Kancharla has seen a number of projects lose a huge amount of money to delays, simply because deadlines have been breached.
On that note, Reddy Kancharla offers a few insights on setting and hitting deadlines for large-scale projects.

Maximize the talents and skills of the teams.
A construction and engineering project involves considerable manpower, Reddy Kancharla notes. There are the internal and real estate project management teams, lead engineers and architects and their own teams, and a host of other professionals. Every person in every team should be instructed well on their roles and their respective timelines.

Create and implement a strict but fair monitoring system.

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Monitoring progress at every phase of the project is critical to hitting deadlines. Timelines should be doable from the get-go, so monitoring ensures that everyone who has a role to play, plays them to perfection. Consistency is key. List all the goals that have to be met and monitor their completion.


Make adjustments to manpower if necessary. You can also move deadlines, but only as a last resort.
Reddy Kancharla had worked in the construction industry for more than 25 years, having experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. Visit this website for more information about him.

The importance of thermal insulation in buildings

One of the most important aspects of building construction is thermal insulation.  After air sealing an enclosed structure, the next step is to install the necessary materials and solution that would address thermal insulation – as well as other types of building insulation, such as acoustic, fire, and impact insulation.

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There are various materials used for this objective, such as polystyrene foam, urethane foam, cotton-based fabric, wood-based materials, plant fiber, cellulose, cement, and more.  Determining the materials and their method of installation should be included in the planning phase of the construction, which is what industry experts like Reddy Kancharla would recommend.

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The primary purpose of thermal insulation is to ensure maximum comfort for the building’s future residents or tenants.  In high-temperature locations, good thermal insulation would help minimize the entry of heat in the structure.  Conversely, it can also trap sufficiently high temperatures inside the building in cold locations.

Another significance of thermal insulation is reduction in energy consumption.  Because a poorly-insulated building will require more use of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) equipment, the owners or tenants will end up with higher electricity bills.

Thermal insulation can also help prolong the structural integrity of the building, a goal of contractors, such as Reddy Kancharla.  Poor insulation can lead to condensation and the formation of mold in various areas inside the structure.  Based on reports by Building Damage, between 13 to 14 percent of building damages were due to mold issues.


Reddy Kancharla possesses extensive knowledge of engineering theories and principles and has substantial experience in developing quality systems based on various codes and standards. Read more about the industry by subscribing to this blog.

What is a geotechnical soil report?

Before a building, road, bridge, or other types of infrastructure, local authorities in most towns and cities require a geotechnical soil report or soil survey that had been conducted by accredited agencies. Without this document, a project would not proceed. Therefore, companies and contractors should include soil report while planning for the construction of a structure – whether permanent or temporary.

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 The soil report would ensure that the site can withstand the load of the structure and avoid risking harm to the people and other structures surrounding it.

The first step in creating a soil report is a soil analysis. Depending on the area involved, boreholes might have to be drilled to extract soil samples, which would then be sent to geotechnical service testing laboratories for investigation. From here, there would be a general idea on the condition of the soil.

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The conditions of the project site would also have to be examined. A brief geological history of the area would be researched, which includes records of landslides, seismic activities, and any prior land usage. A reconnaissance of the site would also have to be made to provide information about the terrain, geology, nearby faults, water table, sinkholes, and other items.

The resulting report would show whether constructing the structure is feasible. Recommendations can also be presented to ensure the safety of the project and the stability of the structure.

Reddy Kancharla is a former civil engineer who has experience in various fields that include geotechnical consultation. Visit this blog for more related topics.

The truth about civil construction and its impact on society

Civil engineering builds a critical feature in every community. Professionals in this field of engineering are the ones in charge of studying the science of building and designing bridges, roads, highways, and other major construction projects.

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The modern world expects civil engineers to find creative and innovative means wherein they can boost infrastructure through the changes in climate, increased urbanization, and even drought. Construction engineering is a branch of civil engineering first introduced in 1963 at Iowa State University. This branch of civil engineering is in charge of the planning, management, and construction of infrastructures like bridges, highways, roads, railroads, airports and more.

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The construction for such infrastructures demands the involvement of engineers from the fields of hydraulic, transportation, environmental, geotechnical, site development, and structural engineering, to execute the designs. Considered as problem solvers, construction engineers assist in developing infrastructures that live up to the demands of their environment. A construction engineer must possess an accurate knowledge of mathematics, science, communication, analytical thinking, time management, and other skills that are essential for solving problems.

Civil engineering and construction is a field that offers great opportunities. The modern world is surrounded by countless contributions of civil engineering through creativity and continuous innovation. Without the efforts of engineers, people could be put in harm’s way and the environment compromised. No matter how modern the world can get, the safety of the people and environment must remain as the top priority of civil engineering and construction.

Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering and the construction industry, and the development of quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. Head over to this blog for similar updates.

Geotechnics and its role in construction and development

Geotechnical engineering is the branch of engineering studying and working with soil and rock, underground water, site and structural conditions, with regard to a construction project. Engineers who work in this field are tasked to plan and design the structures for roads, buildings, canals, embankments, and other construction projects.

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Considered multi-disciplinary, geotechnical engineering also deals with geological hazards such as soil erosion, landslides, and in extreme cases, earthquakes. To improve and refine methods and equipment in performing ground surveys, research and development in geotechnical engineering is conducted. Geotechnical engineers would have to spend most of their time in the field and in facilities for analysis.

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Engineers in the geotechnical industry must be inquisitive, motivated, and committed to their duties such as calculating and analyzing the behavior and capacity of soil and rock when it comes to planning buildings, dams, bridges, and other structures. As the behavior of the ground constantly changes, geotechnical engineers should also be ready to operate innovative equipment, apply updated safety regulations, and take on other aspects of the work beyond their job description. In addition, they could study and assess slope stability, and hazards such as landslides, avalanches, and rock fall.

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or other mathematics, science, and geology, geotechnical engineers can enroll in graduate studies to fortify their expertise. Without the expertise of geotechnical engineers, it would be impossible to build strong structures that would last lifetimes. The safety of the people who will be needing the structures built for their day-to-day lives rely heavily on the skills of these engineers.

Reddy Kancharla has more than 25 years of experience in projects involving civil construction, geotechnical consultation, and construction QA/QC. In addition, he has 10 years of senior management experience. Visit this blog for more updates on civil engineering.

Future builders: An inspiring look at young people in love with engineering

For veteran engineers, it’s an extremely heartwarming occasion to see young people who aren’t even out of school yet to have such a love for engineering. These are the future builders of the world, with a bright future ahead.

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 There was a story on some students from Mukilteo Washington who used their spring break to expand their knowledge in engineering in what is known as a Youth Engineering Lab. In it, young people were exposed to computer software, robotics, and other tools used for engineering.

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However, this is the only instance wherein America’s youth has fallen in love with engineering. Over the years, the number of engineering students has increased with a steady success rate after graduation. The youth of the country has constantly improved in terms of their capacity to make decisions, innovate, and open themselves to learning new things – all of which are qualities of top-notch engineers.

Nowadays, teens have taken it upon themselves to learn how to use modern engineering devices such as 3D printers and robotic controls to create miniature models of future structures.
This is as promising as it is inspiring. And of course, for old-school engineers, very comforting knowing that the future of American engineering is in good hands.

Reddy Kancharla is equipped with a comprehensive knowledge on engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems in civil engineering and the construction industry. Follow this Twitter page for more discussion on the field of civil engineering.

Importance of structural engineering in the construction world

As one of the most fundamental branches of engineering, structural engineering is necessary for all major construction works for them to be built safely. This is due to the very basic principle that states that structures should first and foremost be able to carry their own weight and withstand the load to be placed upon it. Here are further reasons why structural engineering is necessary in the construction world.

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 The main function of structural engineering is seeing to it that a structure is safe. This safety can be translated as safety during construction as well as the usage. For example, structural engineers, upon reviewing the designs and materials to be used for a bridge, can determine the maximum weight it can hold. It can even determine the up to what magnitude of an earthquake a building can withstand.

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Structural engineers are also tasked to make sure that all building materials are used efficiently. Switching construction material can be detrimental to the structural integrity of a building if chosen poorly. Structural engineers need to seek the most cost-efficient construction material that ensures both safety and functionality.

Perhaps the biggest task of structural engineers is combining the whims of building designers and the people involved with the project’s budget. Structural engineers are expected to work on the aesthetic designs laid out, make them functional, safe, and within the expected cost of the project.

Reddy Kancharla has extensive knowledge of engineering theories, principles, and practical solutions of engineering problems relating to civil engineering and the construction industry, and the development of quality systems in the construction industry per various codes and standards. For more reads on structural engineering and engineering in general, visit this blog.