"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Beats using a saw I guess. But if that's the way you're going to do it, why not bag a bigger tree? And while technology is to the fore, I spotted this at Whatfinger. https://scitech.whatfinger.com/ingenious-solutions-in-the-construction-industry/
Just checked out your video, Gregory. Yes, a lot of ingenious designs there. Speaking as an old engineer (civil AND military), I recognize many of the concepts there. The road matting and geo-cells are examples of that.
So, while they ARE ingenious, and probably worth the effort, many of the products are really improvements on older designs and/or practices. Good improvements, I must emphasize.
My one pet peeve: One PLACES concrete. It is never "poured", as concrete is NOT a liquid, even if it looks like one.
Jeff, thanks for the verb correction. I wouldn't say it's common usage over here, though. I was interested by your comments about these new products being reworkings of old ideas. That seems to happen again and again through history. The Romans and Greeks understood the concept of steam power but it took another 1700 years for the concept to be realised for practical purposes.
Gregory, "pouring concrete" is a common misconception. My college professors were emphatic about that one!
Most of the improvements there follow from improvements in material technology -- better plastics, improved manufacturing techniques, and so on.
Take the aluminum concrete forms ... reusable concrete forms have been around for a long time, but they were largely limited to horizontal structures, such as slabs on grade and curbs, because they were made of steel, and are heavy. There were slip forms for vertical construction, but those required cranes to lift between sections, so they were limited to large projects (e.g., high rise buildings).
The aluminum forms can installed/removed by hand, so they are suitable for smaller projects. One can only hope that the possible magnesium shortage won't make them scarce.
Beats using a saw I guess. But if that's the way you're going to do it, why not bag a bigger tree?
ReplyDeleteAnd while technology is to the fore, I spotted this at Whatfinger.
https://scitech.whatfinger.com/ingenious-solutions-in-the-construction-industry/
Pretty ingenious stuff!
ReplyDeleteEr, as the title of the video indicates.
ReplyDeleteFor larger trees, Gregory, I'd use detonation cord. It'd take too much ammo.
ReplyDeleteAnd the BOOM! is most satisfactory ...
Just checked out your video, Gregory. Yes, a lot of ingenious designs there. Speaking as an old engineer (civil AND military), I recognize many of the concepts there. The road matting and geo-cells are examples of that.
ReplyDeleteSo, while they ARE ingenious, and probably worth the effort, many of the products are really improvements on older designs and/or practices. Good improvements, I must emphasize.
My one pet peeve: One PLACES concrete. It is never "poured", as concrete is NOT a liquid, even if it looks like one.
Jeff, thanks for the verb correction. I wouldn't say it's common usage over here, though.
ReplyDeleteI was interested by your comments about these new products being reworkings of old ideas. That seems to happen again and again through history. The Romans and Greeks understood the concept of steam power but it took another 1700 years for the concept to be realised for practical purposes.
Gregory, "pouring concrete" is a common misconception. My college professors were emphatic about that one!
ReplyDeleteMost of the improvements there follow from improvements in material technology -- better plastics, improved manufacturing techniques, and so on.
Take the aluminum concrete forms ... reusable concrete forms have been around for a long time, but they were largely limited to horizontal structures, such as slabs on grade and curbs, because they were made of steel, and are heavy. There were slip forms for vertical construction, but those required cranes to lift between sections, so they were limited to large projects (e.g., high rise buildings).
The aluminum forms can installed/removed by hand, so they are suitable for smaller projects. One can only hope that the possible magnesium shortage won't make them scarce.