Construction & Ornamentation Materials: Natural & Artificial
Construction and Ornamentation Materials
Natural and Artificial Materials
The materials commonly used in construction and ornamentation are divided into artificial and natural. Natural materials include stone and granulated materials. These materials have great resistance to weather conditions.
Stone Materials
Rocks are natural aggregates of minerals. Stone has been used since ancient times in construction, such as the pyramids of Egypt. Stone is obtained directly from quarries. We can distinguish several
Read MoreAquaculture and Water Resources
Aquaculture
A) Subsistence
Breeding of a few specimens, usually trout or carp, in ponds or artificial waterways, ponds, or seawater. It is traditional in many rural areas.
B) Extended
Is the breeding of aquatic animals in their natural environment. It provides a suitable and secure environment for its development, but the rearing and fattening are made naturally. The production is great with good environmental conditions. Example: In Galicia, they perform extensive aquaculture production of mussels
Read MorePolymer Materials: Types, Properties, and Applications
Polymer Materials
Introduction
Polymers are large molecules (macromolecules) primarily composed of carbon, derived from natural or synthetic sources. These macromolecules are also known as plastics. Polyaddition involves the joining of monomer units without the loss of any atoms. Polycondensation, on the other hand, results in the formation of a polymer along with small byproduct molecules like water or alcohol. When different monomers are polymerized together, the process is called copolymerization,
Read MoreTransformer Oil Analysis and Maintenance
Transformer Oil Degradation
Internal faults cause oil decomposition due to:
- Oxygen (producing sludge)
- Temperature (active oxidation)
- Light metals like copper (catalyzing aging reactions)
Oxidation leads to sludge deposits on windings. Water contamination, even in small amounts (parts per million), significantly reduces the oil’s dielectric strength.
Transformer Oil Preservation
Small transformers are completely filled with oil. Expansion is accommodated by flexible cooling fins. Large transformers either
Read MoreEvolution of the Genus Homo: From Habilis to Ancestor
The Genus Homo
Homo habilis (1.8-1.6 Ma)
The oldest known fossil of the Homo genus is Homo habilis. With a slightly larger brain than Australopithecus, its body shape remained similar. Homo habilis inhabited diverse environments, not exclusively forests, and had a cranial capacity of around 510 cc, although a skull with 752 cc complicates classification. Changes in cranial capacity are linked to a new lifestyle incorporating meat and animal fat, potentially enabling better memory, planning, and
Read MoreUnderstanding Watershed Drainage Systems: Characteristics and Analysis
Drainage System
The drainage system of a watershed consists of the river and its tributaries. Studying its ramifications and development is crucial because it indicates the rate at which water leaves the watershed.
Types of Currents
Rivers are commonly classified based on their flow continuity:
- Perennial: These rivers contain water year-round, fed by a water table that never falls below the channel’s water level, even during droughts.
- Intermittent: These rivers flow during rainy periods and dry up during