Slashdot Mirror

Engineers know how to tunnel through limestone, they created dedicated machines for it, here is an article: http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/tunnel4.htm and here is an example where it was used: http://midwest.construction.com/midwest_construction_projects/2013/0729-deep-below-indianapolis-a-race-to-control-waste.asp

Hawaii has hit 40% power production from solar. I don't know that they are at 40% residential install. Yeah, it's hawaii...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Hawaii
and some of the associated issues:
http://greensource.construction.com/yb/gs/article.aspx?story_id=179406663

Beautiful, and enough technical detail to tickle your engineering bones without boring you to death
Some of the popular heavyweights:
http://archrecord.construction.com/
http://www.architectural-review.com/
http://www.japan-architect.co.jp/en/
http://www.detail.de/rw_3_News_En_Index.htm
http://www.elcroquis.es/Home.aspx?lang=en

Regarding the expansion to support Apple chips, "Samsung has been an Austin-area employer since 1996...The company will also hire an additional 500 employees."

RADIATION SHIELDING
LEAD LINED DRYWALL Lead lined doors and Xray resistant glass most have multiple products.

http://www.construction.com/NewsCenter/Headlines/ENR/20041115a.asp

The floors weakened, but the building did not collapse. And it did not have a concrete core.

Firefighters stopped work on this fire in the early afternoon. The fire was described as "raging", and the sprinklers in the building did not work. The fire continued to burn for a very long time after that.

So... I met your challenge, and it took me all of about 10 seconds to find this case on the internet. Your turn.

"The real cover up is that the buildings weren't code to begin with, or rather David Rockefeller etc bent building codes to get them built."

And that is why Lucky Larry Silverstein hired the same structural engineer to rebuild WTC7. Because the guy's sure to get it right this time.

http://archrecord.construction.com/innovation/4_Pr oducts/0411ProductFeature.asp

I think some slashdot ed has been tickled again.

Yes. The basic premise of the article is false. The author claims the area is stable and free of earthquakes. Quote:

"Before the construction of Taipei 101, the Taipei basin was a very stable area with no active earthquake faults at the surface. Its earthquake activity was similar to parts of the UK, with micro-earthquakes (less than magnitude 2) happening about once ayear."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,3605,165 5977,00.html

The above information is false. Taiwan is in a severe earthquake zone and has several major earthquakes each century. Quote:

"Taiwan sits on an extremely active tectonic region, near the junction of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates. This region experiences seismicity and rates of crustal motion among the highest in the world. The last century saw several large, damaging earthquakes, including the following notable events:"

Event Magnitude Year Damaged Buildings

Chi-Chi 7.3 1999 52,000

Raino/Chiayi 7.2 1941 76,000

Taichung 7.1 1935 70,000

Jayi 7.1 1906 34,000

http://www.rms.com/Catastrophe/Models/Taiwan.asp

The builders know this and have built the skyscraper to withstand 2,500 year events. Quote:

"The design criteria are tougher than needed to comply with local codes, says Shieh. Codes require the frame to stay elastic in a 100-year shock and remain upright through a 950-year event. But actual capabilities are better, claims Shieh. The building is engineered to stay up under a 2,500-year shock, corresponding to 0.5-g ground acceleration."

http://www.construction.com/NewsCenter/Headlines/E NR/20031124g.asp

So there is little truth in the article.

A comprehensive tsunami warning system needs to be maintained

True, it needs to be maintained. But see this link describing the total cost of a *worldwide* system as $30 million. Even if you have to replace the thing every 50 years (and you don't, the Hawaiian system is that old and still working with minor maintenance) it's DIRT CHEAP compared to the $1B the USA Federal government is sending in disaster relief.

Gehry is a hack, a one-trick pony. His trick is composed of complicated curves, lack of right angles, and excessive stainless steel. Find me a Gehry building that does not contain these three things - there is no uniqueness there. These things are expensive, unneeded, and Do not confuse nor mingle too closely art and architecture. Art serves only itself, architecture serves the public.

Unfortunately, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is being turned into a mall attraction. Come spend your money at Independence Mall(TM)!

The article discussed the pros and cons of smart cards, radio transponder devices, etc.

The article on the Technology Review website is subscriber only, but you can read it here.

Here is something interesting from Google.. it's from the construction industry, but I think it would apply to all industries.

What the hell is a "custom house" Go see an architect. Not a joeblow architect or a "home builder", let alone a contractor. If you want to build, see someone who can maximize the costs - materials don't come cheap but someone with a little insite can make a little go a LONG way. i.e., sam mockbee, rip.

• http://www.utilitycamo.com/
• http://www.utilitycamo.com/sites.html
• Alan Dick Enviromental Solutions
• Len Tech Telecom

But some companies have been upset by camogflage requirements.