By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • 0 Comments

How is the flow of fluid significant in mechanical engineering?

Designing effective and high-performing mechanical systems requires an understanding of fluid flow, an essential element of mechanical engineering. The area of fluid mechanics, known as “fluid flow,” focuses solely on the properties and motion of fluid. We must also be aware of the numerous varieties of fluids when analyzing fluid mechanics: real fluid, ideal fluid, Newtonian fluid, non-Newtonian fluid, and ideal plastic fluid comprise some of the various kinds of fluids that have been recognized in the mechanical engineering industry.

The descriptions of these fluids are as follows:

  • Real fluids can be compressed and possess viscosity and surface tension. Some examples of real fluids are castor oil and petrol.
  • Ideal fluids are supposed to be both incompressible and viscous. Some examples of ideal fluids are water and air.
  • Newtonian fluids are ones whose viscosity is independent of the rate of stress. Some examples of Newtonian fluids are gasoline, water, and alcohol.
  • Non-Newtonian fluids have a variable viscosity that can become either more liquid or more solid when subjected to force. Toothpaste, butter, and soaps are examples of non-Newtonian fluids.
  • Ideal plastic fluids are referred to whenever a particular requirement is met, such as shear stress being equivalent to the gradient of velocity and also being greater than the yield rate. An example of an ideal plastic fluid is clay.

The flow of fluid has a significant impact on how quickly a product moves via a pipe, the duration it requires for it to settle or dry out, and how quickly the fluid gets distributed into packaging components. Therefore, fluid flow is necessary to make sure fluid control procedures are safe, effective, and affordable.

 

By Evan Thomas COMPANY NEWSLETTERS • • • • 0 Comments

July 2023 Company Newsletter

KC's July 2023 Newsletter includes a letter from KC President Raj Ravilla; the employee milestones section; a feature on the past, present, and future of the Interstate Highway System; detail on some of KC's new projects; and more.

Download KC’s Company Newsletter – July 2023 edition to keep up with KC’s latest news!

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

What are foundations in engineering?

A foundation is defined by The Britannica Dictionary as “a usually stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath.” In engineering, the foundation can be thought of as the point where the superstructure meets the soil beneath it. Foundations distribute the weights coming from the structure itself to the earth through the connection of the structure to the soil. In special occasions, the connection of the structure can also be to water, known as “floating structures.” Any structure, other than a boat, with a foundation flotation mechanism that enables it to float on water is referred to as a “floating structure.” An example of a floating structure is the newly constructed public park called Little Island, which rises about 200 feet out of the water.

In general, foundations are categorized as shallow or deep. It is generally understood that shallow foundations are constructed close to the earth's surface. Shallow foundations are excellent for buildings that are less than six feet deep, or "transfer loads at a shallow depth," while deep foundations are positioned farther below the surface of the ground and disperse structural loads deep into the earth. Deep foundations are frequently utilized when constructing superstructures like skyscrapers, housing complexes, or shopping malls because they enable a more stable foundation.

Shallow and deep foundations have differences and cannot be compared to each other because both foundations serve different purposes. When selecting a type of foundation, it all depends on the type of project, so it is best to always consult with a professional with engineering experience. A professional will choose the best course of action based on the project.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Preventing Incidents in Construction Sites

Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA's) top 10 most frequently cited violations in 2021, according to the US Department of Labor, are “Duty to Have Fall Protection” (1926.501), “Respiratory Protection” (1910.134), “Ladders” (1926.1053), “Hazard Communication” (1910.1200), “General Requirements for Scaffolds” (1926.451), "Training Requirements for Fall Protection” (1926.503), “Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout / Tagout)” (1910.147), “Eye and Face Protection” (1926.102), “Powered Industrial Trucks” (1910.178), and “General Requirements for All Machines” (1910.212). These violations can cause fatal risks and/or injuries for workers, and this is why it’s so important to train workers in all the safety rules and regulations.

A safety plan must be developed for each project the construction team undertakes, and all workers must receive training on it prior to starting the job in order to follow all safety procedures, including recurrent education courses. Due to the dangers that can arise in the construction industry, safety precautions are implemented to safeguard the lives of the workers. Most accidents can be avoided if all site safety rules are followed and carried out properly. In addition, keeping the equipment in good condition helps prevent costly repairs as well as harm to nearby operators or ground personnel. Therefore, prioritizing equipment maintenance should be crucial due to the ability to severely reduce accidents on the work site. In the long run, regular equipment maintenance will save companies thousands of dollars because keeping up with the equipment will be a lot cheaper than repairing it or needing to buy brand-new equipment. Although there are numerous variables that affect the average lifespan of construction equipment, including the type of equipment, the environment they are being used in, and how the equipment is being operated, maintenance is an important element to the safety of the jobsite.

Working together to deliver quality work and safety for everyone will always be a priority. Always refer to your safety plan and follow all procedures to keep yourself and others safe.

 

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

Survey Drones

Did you know that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems are the more formally known names for drones?

The invention of the first UAV could be traced back to 1783, when the first pilotless hot-air balloon was created, and that is because any powered aerial vehicle without a human operator aboard is considered a drone. Therefore, from a technical standpoint, drones have been around for decades, but modern drones started to be developed in the 1900s. As technology evolves, innovators have been improving the quality of drones, which allows a variety of industries to use them to improve their quality of work. Due to their capacity to quickly cover vast surface areas and provide access to difficult places, modern drones have gained a lot of popularity.

The exponential growth of technological innovation is causing rapid changes in the field of professional land surveying, and one of the new developments in land surveying technology is the use of drones. Survey drones have become essential tools because they allow surveyors to get their data quickly and accurately, which expands their services and helps reduce costs. Survey drones can be used for mapping and surveying due to their ability to fly over the ground and successfully carry out tasks for land surveys, 3D mapping, and topographic and photogrammetry surveys on large plots of land.

Surveyors must adhere to legal requirements and basic operating procedures, even as survey drone technology becomes more adaptable and accessible to users. Because of its influence, strong laws are implemented to preserve a secure environment.