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.