Road built for self destruction
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Recently Gulshan Municipality removed the 100-meter damaged portion of Road No. 8 in Gulshan 1 and rebuilt. The top layer was of 2 to 30 inch thick concrete, done throughout the day on 30th October. However no arrangements was made to cure the concrete, nor was the concrete cast kept wet. Without curing the concrete road surface will crumble within the next few months.
Seeing the road surface totally dry next morning (31st October), since I live nearby, I went to the Municipal office met the Executive Engineer and requested him to ensure that the concrete road surface is properly cured at least for a week, if not more. I monitored the next two days (1st & 2nd November) and found the road surface still totally dry! Only on 31st October, after I told the Executive Engineer, was the road watered, late in the afternoon of that day; and that was all the curing done. This road is bound to start cracking and breaking up in the next few weeks. Any one with some idea of concrete casting, knows it must be cured (kept wet round the clock) for at least a week. Quite often, concrete floors and roof slabs are kept flooded under 2 or 3 inch of water throughout the curing period, which is essential for the concrete to reach full strength. Without any curing this road surface (Road No. 8) will be damaged since it is under heavy traffic with motor cars and trucks moving throughout the day.
It is unfortunate that materials and money of the taxpayer is being wasted by such gross negligence of the municipal authorities concerned. This is an example of poor quality work with no supervision being done. The contractor who has done this job will make extra profit by not spending any money for curing the concrete which is mandatory. Does any one care?
Engr. S. A. Mansoor
Dhaka
Seeing the road surface totally dry next morning (31st October), since I live nearby, I went to the Municipal office met the Executive Engineer and requested him to ensure that the concrete road surface is properly cured at least for a week, if not more. I monitored the next two days (1st & 2nd November) and found the road surface still totally dry! Only on 31st October, after I told the Executive Engineer, was the road watered, late in the afternoon of that day; and that was all the curing done. This road is bound to start cracking and breaking up in the next few weeks. Any one with some idea of concrete casting, knows it must be cured (kept wet round the clock) for at least a week. Quite often, concrete floors and roof slabs are kept flooded under 2 or 3 inch of water throughout the curing period, which is essential for the concrete to reach full strength. Without any curing this road surface (Road No. 8) will be damaged since it is under heavy traffic with motor cars and trucks moving throughout the day.
It is unfortunate that materials and money of the taxpayer is being wasted by such gross negligence of the municipal authorities concerned. This is an example of poor quality work with no supervision being done. The contractor who has done this job will make extra profit by not spending any money for curing the concrete which is mandatory. Does any one care?
Engr. S. A. Mansoor
Dhaka