Jon Blakemore sent me a book, and now I want to pass it on. Title is “Why buildings fall down” and it tells about 30 stories of structural failure, both buildings and bridges. Kemper Arena, Hartford Arena, Leaning Tower of Pisa, L’ambiance Plaza, Schoharie Creek bridge, etc. It’s actually not very well writen, seems to have been written by a structural engineer with no help from an editor. But it’s fascinating to see how forensic engineering works, and find out why structures failed. Stupid things, mostly, and oversights.
Here’s an example: The Kemper Arena in KC MO failed the day after the AIA held their annual convention there. Torrential rain was the trigger, but the cause was the roof drains, and overloaded and non-redundant hanger bolts: building codes would ahve required 65 drain pipes of 5 in dia, but the designers only installed 8 drains. As a result, about 9 in of water ponded on the roof
Anyway, here’s the catch: you have to agree to pass the book on to someone else when you’re finished reading it. Send me your mailing address by email.
“Put your creed in your deed.” Emerson
“When asked if you can do something, tell’em “Why certainly I can”, then get busy and find a way to do it.” T. Roosevelt
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Put me on the list!
You wanna maybe give me an address?"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
The book is in the mail."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
that's what they said about the check, too - LOL!!
thanks, HuckView Image bakersfieldremodel.com
Add ME!!! Gotta read it so I can keep up w/ Dovetail on American engineering disasters.
Don Reinhard
PO Box 190
Marble Hill, GA 30148
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
"Mostly stupid things and oversights"
If that's not the story of my life? As I age, everry job reinforces this basic lesson: Check your assumptions, then check them again!
Or, as they say in the Navy: Pay attention to detail!
Hey - I actually forgot who had sent this! Thanks - it has arrived, and I've read a chapter and a half. I have to agree with the "not very well written" part, but like you I find the subject matter interesting.
"Anyway, here's the catch: you have to agree to pass the book on to someone else when you're finished reading it."
Interesting idea. Years ago Sonny Lykos and someone else (I can't remember who the other person was) were discussing starting a lending library for construction-related business books and others. Don't know if it ever got off the ground or not, but I thought it was a neat idea. He loaned and gave me several books. Each one had lots of hightlighting and underlines he'd done.
Speaking of which...I've been searching for a copy of Make Your Own Handcrafted Doors and Windows... but they are selling for $65 and up on eBay...If anyone has a copy that they would loan me for a few weeks I would be super grateful.
Maybe start a thread here asking if anyone has a copy for sale. You never know!
Work for the greatest vital intensity - the greatest solidity and aesthetic reality. Finally, eliminate everything non-essential. Reduce to the absolute essence. ~ F.C. Trucksess