Author Archives: Ian Marr

There are several ways to answer this question. In general: vertical. Literally, 8″-9″ depending on use and jurisdiction. For most publicly use spaces most designers will use a 7″ riser (vertical) and 11″ tread (horizontal) or 6″R and 12″T as the general layout with adjustments for the final heights and materials used. For lower steps …

Continue reading “How steep can stairs be?”

Generally, they would be called facades. Keep in mind that there are many alternative names that relate to specific parts of the facades, or that they may be termed similarly to movie and theater sets. But, from a general architecture point of view, they would be facades.

In a hot-arid region, like a desert; yes. In other regions you lose efficiency as the humidity increases and temperature decreases. Around the point where the outside temperature reaches the cooling water temperature it starts acting as a water heater. So, it is highly dependent on your environment.

The simple answer is no one owns or possesses the center of the Earth. The UN has operational guidelines on these matters of non-recognized territories. Typically, coastal waters are defined as 20 miles out from mean tideline. Territory air rights extend to low orbit, although some nations reject any stationary or near stationary objects above …

Continue reading “Which country is the center of Earth?”

Like most materials found on Earth very little of it is already in a usable state. Basically, there is a lot of water, but as we get more and more people the “ready to use” water is quickly spoken for. There are still huge amounts of water left. Only now it requires prep-work before its …

Continue reading “What are the main reasons that cause most of the water on Earth to be unusable?”

For the most part, yes. There are many examples of sand-like materials you wouldn’t want anywhere near fire, but you’re unlikely to readily get ahold of these.

The simple answer is an eave when continuing the slope of a roof and a rake when crossing the slope. Beyond that, there are many many specific and regional names.

For design, purposes most rain “hitting” is considered vertical. In high wind areas, a 45-degree projection can be used much like shadow projections. More typically, we are concerned about water shedding and ponding. Water shedding is where the roof, or other elements, direct the water, often concentrating the flow to specific areas. Normally, we want …

Continue reading “What is usually the rain hitting direction considered during designing of houses so as to consider issues due to the same?”

The problem is that this is a loose question. The actual answer is almost anything. But usually plywood or OSB sheathing with a waterproof membrane between the sheathing and roofing. Much beyond that, you’d need to specify the type of metal roof and what you’re roofing as these can change things dramatically.

The main reasons the Earth’s core is so hot is: Pressure – literally all the dirt and rock squeezed together. Thought to represent greater than 70% of heat production. Friction – different density and temperature layers grinding past each other. Thought to be 20%-25% of heat production. Radioactive decay – nuclear decomposition. Thought to be …

Continue reading “Why is the Earth’s center hot? Will it cool down someday?”