First off, everyone needs to understand that strong winds and tornado winds are in completely different classes. Fortunately, there is a phenomenon called the heat island effect that tends to steer wind events such as tornados away from areas with skyscrapers. Basically, areas, where we build such structures, are also accompanied by large areas around …
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This is a matter of visualizing the scenario and it pretty much explains itself. Let’s start with two random shaped plates with jagged edges. Place them together so that they touch. Now place a finger on a random place on each plate, and push in a random direction generally towards the other plate. Whichever parts …
For the most part, they aren’t. But, there are holdovers. Basically, a large part of the banking system grew up during the “Old West” period where the US was expanding. All exchanges were physical money except for loans which were recorded. So, bank buildings were designed like secure boxes. Better ones were built like cages. …
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These are the lumber grades in the US: General construction lumber: Lowest Utility (Not usually available to the public) 3 (Not usually available to the public) 2, Stud, or Standard (Lowest common grade) 2+ or “2 or better” 1 or Premium 1+ or “1 or better” (Highest common grade) SS or Structural Select (Considered the …
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A high rise tends to be a safe place during an earthquake due to the amount of engineering and modeling for earthquakes done. But, it isn’t the safest place. Open areas free of obstacles tend to be the safest places.
Cement block is the most expensive, takes up more room but is far more durable. It is limited in how “nice” it looks from the outside. No insect issues (unless you put a wood roof on it) and very few water issues. Also, it is the most repairable should you run into it. Wood framing …
Typically, you want a bottom to your sump. Otherwise, you have dirt/mud containing your sump. This can lead to the sump sinking, dirt and rocks trying to go through your sump, or leaking around the sump which you probably didn’t intend as you would have provided leach lines instead of the sump. So, yes. You …
If steel manufacturing isn’t local the cost goes up due to transportation costs. In order to get most of the corrosion resistance from GGBS the ratio reduces the 28 day and ultimate strength of the concrete. But this almost always is quite a bit higher than similar concrete without GGBS. GGBS can produce a finer …
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Most of the time apartments are minimized versions of houses. If it isn’t necessary it isn’t part of the apartment. All apartments are house replacements. Once you get out of the minimized area of apartments they start taking on all the aspects of high-end homes in areas that normally wouldn’t be able to support them …
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Underground tanks up to 50,000 gallons – PE, Fiberglass, steel, or concrete Underground tanks more than 50,000 gallons – concrete with liners Pillow tanks up to 40,000 gallons – PE, Fiberglass, steel or concrete Above ground tanks more than 40,000 gallons – steel or concrete
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