All Questions
Tagged with building-physics civil-engineering
14
questions
0
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3
answers
64
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"Increasing the water pressure" in the old pipes in the Palace of Knossos
In the Palace of Knossos, Crete, Greece there is an old piping system partially preserved, with the following commentary:
Series of clay pipes with one end narrower than the other so that they could ...
- 300
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0
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16
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How to go about designing a window that can selectively allow light, air, and sound in depending on the occupant's preferences?
The usual combination of window + blind today allows occupants to pick between allowing in external light, blocking external light, allowing external air exchange, blocking air exchange.
I'm curious ...
- 229
0
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2
answers
50
views
After how many days can concrete framework be removed?
After how many days can concrete framework be removed? Do admixture chemicals like superplasticizer or accelerating admixtures allow early removal of concrete framework?
1
vote
3
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140
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Tensile Force on Line of Bolts
I'm presented with a problem requiring some analysis to determine if an antenna bracket mounted to a concrete blockwork wall is sufficiently strong enough to endure a wind load given the known surface ...
- 13
2
votes
2
answers
141
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Can a crisscrossed metallic skeleton resist earthquakes for buildings?
To follow up with my previous question on the seismic design of buildings, I would like to ask if it makes sense to support buildings with strong thick 'crisscrossed' metallic frames.
I have the ...
- 239
2
votes
2
answers
84
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Can a horizontal foundation safeguard against earthquakes?
I have not taken any course in civil engineering. What I was taught was that a broad base would prevent something from toppling. So it makes me wondering instead of nailing the foundation of a ...
- 239
3
votes
2
answers
306
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Cooling tower for nuclear power plants
Cooling towers for nuclear power plants often have the shape of a hyperboloid. At first glance, I thought that an obvious reason for this would be the smaller sectional area, meaning the tower would ...
- 133
5
votes
1
answer
92
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What approaches are there for demolishing a structure and how is an approach chosen?
From my office on the 21st floor of a building in Vancouver, BC two parking garages in the process of being demolished are visible. A third is just out of view a few more blocks away.
One of these ...
- 153
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0
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25
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Heat storage mass vs. AIR in an ICF house
If we would want to build a family house (ICF) regarding operational costs, should we leave the insulation on the inside, or should we remove it from the inside?
If we would remove it, the walls ...
- 11
2
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0
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28
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How to ensure natural ventilation through a shaft?
I have a small shaft, 2.5m wide by 4m deep, sunk into the ground. Due to explosion protection I should ensure "natural ventilation" - this is the termgiven in the relevant ordinance, no air flow ...
- 4,791
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2
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1k
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Place a greenhouse: how to orient it for the best effect?
I'm looking for the best orientation (North-East-South-West) of a greenhouse (simplifiable as a rectangular solid).
My question is more specifically about the sun position effects (over the times of ...
- 335
2
votes
1
answer
142
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Controlled demolition of a sky scraper?
Sky scrapers are often found in dense urban environments. Is there a known method to controllably demolish a sky scraper with minimal collateral damage?
- 223
2
votes
1
answer
446
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What's the purpose of these small closet-like-rooms-without-a-door?
I was recently on the UCLA campus (University of California Los Angeles) and I saw the Bunche Hall. I love the design and the architecture of the building. However I saw a little (what I would call) a ...
- 131
16
votes
3
answers
8k
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What is the most efficient means of warming a building with a high ceiling?
Consider a large auditorium, a church, or some other very large, essentially one roomed building with a high ceiling. Suppose that the building has many entrances which enable cold air in/hot air out ...
- 2,569