Tag

Civil Engineering

All articles tagged with #civil engineering

infrastructure-and-public-safety1 month ago•2 min saved

Simulations Reveal How Aging Culvert Failures Can Isolate 30% of Residents

A new study in Risk Analysis demonstrates that the failure of small, aging culverts can severely disrupt emergency access. In a simulated scenario for the Deerfield River watershed in Massachusetts, a storm intensity of 7 on a 10-point scale caused approximately 350 culverts to fail, leaving roughly 30% of the local population unable to reach the only nearby emergency room. The research highlights that while large bridges often receive more attention, the nation’s six million culverts are increasingly vulnerable to intense, short-duration rainfall events.

via The New York Times|

#civil-engineering #climate-adaptation #culvert-infrastructure

technology1 month ago•11 min saved

Chicago's Great Elevation: Streets Lifted by Thousands of Screws Beneath Occupied Shops

Facing a Lake Michigan–flat terrain that blocked drainage, Chicago in the 1850s–60s raised entire blocks and buildings by threading heavy jackscrews beneath them, including a 320‑foot block lifted four feet eight inches on about 6,000 screws with synchronized turns while shops stayed open. The move followed a plan to place sewers at street level under fill, creating gravity drainage despite minimal slope, a controversial but politically palatable compromise. The technique required exposing foundations, using needles through walls, and lifting evenly to avoid damage, sparking a brief boom in such work and completing key lifts like Randolph & Dearborn and Tremont House, with George Pullman later involved; lifting largely declined by the mid‑1860s.

via Space Daily|

#chicago #civil-engineering #jackscrews

politics2 months ago•13 min saved

Deliberate Design vs. Top-Down Renovation: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's History

The piece contrasts the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s 1920s, deliberative planning—overcoming swampy ground with innovative waterproofing and drainage—with Trump-era, no-bid renovations that sparked controversy, arguing the original process embodied broad civic input and durable engineering, while today’s top-down, hurried updates risk repeating past missteps.

via The Conversation|

#civil-engineering #lincoln-memorial #mcmillan-commission

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

Honoring Jim Lovell: Apollo 13 Commander and NASA Legend

The article commemorates NASA astronaut Jim Lovell's passing, highlighting his significant contributions to space exploration, including Apollo 13 and Gemini missions. It also discusses the digitization of Popular Mechanics archives, upcoming talks at HOPE_16, and a unique dam project in Colorado featuring an asphalt core, showcasing advancements and historical reflections in engineering and space history.

via Hackaday|

#apollo-13 #civil-engineering #digitized-magazines

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

College Student Creates Detailed Digital Pittsburgh in Minecraft

A Virginia Tech civil engineering student, Owen Campbell, is painstakingly building a detailed 1:1-scale digital version of Pittsburgh in Minecraft, using Google Earth and reference images, with plans to include iconic structures like bridges, which reflects his passion for urban landscapes and infrastructure.

via Post-Gazette|

#civil-engineering #digital-city #minecraft

local-news2 years ago•1 min saved

"Atlanta Faces Water Crisis: Infrastructure Issues and Business Impact"

Civil engineers suggest that recent water main breaks in Atlanta may be connected due to the city's aging infrastructure, which combines old and new systems. Despite ongoing repairs and initiatives like Clean Water Atlanta, the outdated water lines pose challenges, especially with the city's rapid development. A specific break may have triggered a chain reaction, leading to further failures.

via WSB Atlanta|

#atlanta #civil-engineering #infrastructure

science-and-technology3 years ago•2 min saved

"Revolutionary 4D Metamaterial Unleashes Quantum Computing Potential"

Scientists have developed a new metamaterial that utilizes an "extra dimension" to better control mechanical surface waves. By creating a synthetic dimension beyond the conventional three, the material allows for precise manipulation of energy wave paths. This breakthrough has potential applications in various fields, including quantum computers and quake-proof materials for civil engineering.

via IFLScience|

#civil-engineering #metamaterial #quantum-mechanics

technology3 years ago•3 min saved

Revolutionizing Construction: Metamaterial Concrete

Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a concept for smart civil infrastructure systems with the introduction of metamaterial concrete, which is lightweight and mechanically-tunable with integrated energy harvesting and sensing capabilities. The material is capable of generating electricity and can compress up to 15% under cyclic loading. The research team is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to develop this metamaterial concrete for use on Pennsylvania roads.

via SciTechDaily|

#civil-engineering #energy-harvesting #metamaterial-concrete