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Construction Law Blog - Out of the Ordinary

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Aug 04, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

NATURE WORKING THE EARTH!

You may have all heard about the recent landslides in Italy . But up to now I have never seen one as it was happening. Use this link and you will see a whole hillside in an Italian residential neighborhood slowly slide away taking grown trees with it.

http://sorisomail.com/email/42722/ja-viram-desmoronar-uma-montanha.html

Jul 20, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

The Art of Loading

To view file, click here

May 19, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

How numerals 0 - 9 got their shape . .

Do you know why numbers look like they do? Someone, at somepoint in time, had to create their shapes and meaning. Watch this short presentation and then you will know how our Arabic numbers were originally created a very long time ago and what logic the people that created them used to determine their shapes. It is really very simple and quite creative? You have to admire the intelligence of a person or people that created something so simple and perfect that it has lasted for thousands and thousands of years and will probably never change? When the presentation gets to the number "seven" you will notice that the 7 has a line through the middle of it. That was the way the Arabic 7 was originally written, and in Europe and certain other areas they still write the 7 that way. Also, in the military, they commonly write it that way. The nine has a kind of curly tail on it that has been reduced, for the most part nowadays, to a simple curve, but the logic involved still applies.

Click here and be amazed

May 18, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Farmers to The Rescue!!

CW Roberts employees demonstrating the use of hay to assist in a defense against the oil spill in the Gulf.

To view the video click here

May 07, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Empire State Building Old Photos

To see photos click here

Mar 03, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Images and maps compiled from the Chile Earthquake

To see photos click here

Feb 03, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Stockholm Underground's Subway

To view file click here

Jan 27, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Construction Tools Explained

DRILL PRESS:

A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.

WIRE WHEEL:

Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, "Oh, $%&^!"

SKILL SAW:

A portable cutting tool used to make studs too short.

PLIERS:

Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

BELT SANDER:

An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.

HACKSAW:

One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

VISE-GRIPS:

Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

OXYACETYLENE TORCH:

Used almost entirely for lighting various flammable objects in your shop on fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.

TABLE SAW:

A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.

HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:

Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.

BAND SAW:

A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut good aluminum sheet into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash can after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge.

TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:

A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of everything you forgot to disconnect.

PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:

Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.

STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:

A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.

PRY BAR:

A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.

HOSE CUTTER:

A tool used to make hoses too short.

HAMMER:

Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit.

UTILITY KNIFE:

Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door; works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.

Jan 14, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Roads To Drive Before You Die!!

To see the file click here

Jan 05, 2010 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

RARE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

To see the photos please click here

Dec 28, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

A water droplet at 2000 frames per second

Watch this video of a water droplet at 2000 frames per second, you will be astounded.

Happy Holidays,

http://www.flixxy.com/water-drop.htm

Dec 22, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Absolutely beautiful pictures of winter

To see the photos click here

Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Dec 08, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Alaska Permafrost Affected by Climate Changes Forces Innovation

Permafrost, the frozen ground that lies beneath the surface in most of the state of Alaska, has been melting due to higher than average air temperatures. The thawing of the permafrost and refreezing during the winter months causes foundation instability affecting the structural integrity of buildings, railroads, highways, and pipelines that sit on top of the frozen ground. When structures are built on frozen ground and the structural design depends on the ground remaining frozen. Engineers are turning to low tech solutions such as thermosiphons that draw heat out of the ground. It is a cost effective simple and innovative response to climate change.

The Thermosiphon, a tube filled with gas that cannot escape, is buried in the ground with the top exposed to the air. As the temperature plunges in winter the gas condenses into a liquid and falls to the bottom of the tube. When the weather warms up during the summer months, the warmth of the ground causes the liquid to evaporate back into a gas that rises to the top of the tube where the heat it carries is dissipated into the air the cycle keeps repeating itself, with no need for any kind of power source or any intervention other than maintenance. Scientists believe the process cools the ground around the tube so much during the winter that it stays frozen even in summer. Alaska Pipleline crews inspect the working of the thermosiphons using infrared cameras. If the telltale glow of heat being released is too dark, that indicates a gas blockage that may need repair. It appears Alaska has found a cost effective, low tech solution to climate change.

Carlton, Jim, “Keeping it Frozen” The Wall Street Journal, 12/07/2009

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704576204574531373037560240.html

Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Dec 07, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY TIPS COURTESY OF NECA

A fire on any day is bad, but a fire on Christmas is the worst. Christmas trees can catch on fire with electrical problems the most common culprit. Following these simple steps will help make your holiday season “Merry and Bright.”

When you buy your tree, make a fresh cut at the bottom; this will help the tree drink so it won’t dry out.
Make sure your lights are safe and carry certification from a testing laboratory.
Don’t use electric lights on a metal tree.
Discard any strings of lights that are frayed or broken.
Unplug your Christmas tree before you leave or go to bed.
Don’t buy a tree that is dry and dropping needles.
Make sure your tree stand holds plenty of water and don’t let it run out.
If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is fire-retardant.
Keep your tree at least 3 feet from furnaces, radiators, and fireplaces.
Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
Keep a close eye on small children when they are around the tree; many small decorations/ornaments are sharp, breakable, and can be easily swallowed. Watch your pets too!
Remember that the following plants are poisonous and they can make your small children and pets Sick: holly, amaryllis, and poinsettias. Also, if you haven’t changed the battery in your smoke detector, now’s the ideal time to do so! Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit readily available.

These are just a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe over the holidays.

Source:

Puget Sound Chapter NECA

Monday Morning News

November 30, 2009

Nov 12, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Micro construction

This is the world's biggest train set which covers 1,150 square meters (12,380 square feet), features almost six miles of track and is still not complete.

Twin brothers Frederick and Gerrit Braun, 41, began work on the 'Miniatur Wunderland' in 2000.

The set covers six regions including America , Switzerland , Scandinavia , Germany and the Austrian Alps

The American section features giant models of the Rocky Mountains, Everglades, Grand Canyon ...

Nov 09, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

A 12 STORY BUILDING IN CHINA LYING ON THE GROUND

(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side, to a depth of 4.6 meters.
(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side, to a height of 10 meters.
(3) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from south and north.
(4) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tons, which was greater than what the pilings could tolerate. Thus the building toppled over in the southerly direction.

Oct 21, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

World's tallest building

To view video click here

Oct 19, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Accident at Russia's Biggest Hydroelectric Plant

To view the file click here

Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Oct 12, 2009 | Topics: Construction News and Notes, Out of the Ordinary | View Article

The World Trade Center Collapse Still Being Debated By Engineers and Scientists

A summary of some the technical areas in dispute as to what caused the World Trade Center to collapse on September 11, 2001 is set forth in this article. The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and its building trade and scientific allies are one side of the debate and its equally credentialed science, profession and licensed critics (building and structural engineers, architects, physicists, chemists) on the other side, put forth their cases in these theories compiled from NIST's official report. In addition to complex engineer explanations, very convincing arguments are made that the collapse could only have occurred due to explosives having been "planted" in the building before the airplanes struck the towers. Incendiary "super thermite," evidence of explosives and the iron-rich microspheres that can only derive from high pressure, high temperature explosives have allegedly been discovered in the buildings rubble. This article provides an interesting recap of the raging debate: Whether the high-rise steel building collapsed in such a manner without the use of explosives? At issue seems to be NIST's competence and willingness to examine all the evidence.

To read the article click here

Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Jul 27, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

THE WIDER VIEW: Taking shape, the new bridge at the Hoover Dam

Creeping closer inch by inch 900ft above the mighty Colorado River the two sides of a 160million bridge at the Hoover Dam in America slowly take shape.

The bridge will carry a new section of US Route 93 past the bottleneck of the old road which can be seen twisting and winding around and across the dam itself.

When complete, it will provide a new link between the states of Nevada and Arizona. In an incredible feat of engineering, the road will be supported on the two massive concrete arches which jut out of the rock face.

The arches are made up of 53 individual sections each 24ft long which have been cast on-site and are being lifted into place using an improvised high-wire crane strung between temporary steel pylons.

To see photo click here

Posted By: Gizmodo "The Gadget Blog" | Jul 07, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

Entire New 13-Story Building Tips Over in Shanghai

This past Saturday, an entire apartment building in Shanghai collapsed. To be fair, the building was under construction and thus unoccupied, but it's still a minor miracle that there was only one fatality.

http://gizmodo.com/5304233/entire-new-13%20story-building-tips-over-in-shanghai/gallery

Posted By: John P. Ahlers | Jul 07, 2009 | Topics: Out of the Ordinary | View Article

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