First and foremost the Post Office isn’t allowed to turn a profit. Or at least any excess money received by the Post Office can not be dispersed as profit income or similar corporate tools. It must be held in trust by the Post Office to cover future expenses as defined by the US Congress which …
Author Archives: Ian Marr
Can I buy a commercial building which someone else built and turn it into a factory of my own without a building permit?
Yes. Most jurisdictions allow you to proceed provided the following: You are doing the same use. Such as the previous tenant did manufacturing in the facility and also wish to do so. You will need to check with the city about local definitions of use. You are not making structural changes to the building. You …
Why is the computation of shear force and bending moment necessary for any structural member?
I understand that the question asker is really asking that since virtually all beam scenarios require designing for the moment condition why bother to do shear at all. But, if you start with that premise I would ask do you know under which conditions shear forces overtake moment forces? How about when 5 forces are …
Can a civil engineer build a small building without an architect?
At least where I practice, California, civil engineers can design any type of building expect for hospitals. But, just like architects, while they are allowed to design these their design will be questioned with a mind that this is allowable but unusual behavior for that license. As an architect, I face similar problems when I …
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Why are steel rods not welded in overlapping in reinforced concrete?
Practical tests and empirical data have shown that deformed bars (rebar) hold very well in concrete to the point that the concrete or rebar itself fractures and breaks off before movement occurs. The point of the overlap is to prevent a weak spot along the member. Overlap is usually defined as 36–48 diamaters of the …
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What is the difference between type 2A and type 2B construction?
Type II structures tend towards larger structures or hazard limited structures. Type IIA is more restrictive than Type IIB, but allows for larger areas as a trade-off. Firstly, all bearing elements (columns, beams, shearwalls, bearing walls…) must be non-combustible. Type IIA also requires that all bearing elements be 1-hour fire-rated in addition to being non-combustible. …
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What is the construction material used in European buildings during the 70s that is now considered very toxic to the environment and shall be neutralized prior to demolition?
Asbestos.
Do I need to strip wood before staining?
For the best results, you need to be working on bare wood. If there is any kind of finish present on the wood then yes you should strip the finish off before staining.
If the earth is spinning at 1000 miles an hour and sound travels at 767 miles per hour, how can we hear anything?
You, the earth (including earth’s atmosphere), and the thing making noise are basically a closed system. In other words, all these items feel forces together. In this case since you are all moving at a 1,000 mph your perception is that you aren’t moving. In the case of sound, it is simply moving through that …
If someone puts dynamite across the San Andreas fault and blows it up would that big earthquake happen?
No. There isn’t enough energy in a stick of dynamite. Even a several kiloton nuclear weapon denoted on the surface probably wouldn’t be enough. Too much of the energy would be lost to the air. It might be if it was buried several hundred to serval thousand feet below the surface where the soil and …
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