Structural Engineer Answers City Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

WIRED16 minutes read

Demolishing tall buildings involves strategic detonation, underwater tunnels are created by pumping out water, and good urban design is key in cities like Amsterdam and Singapore. From reversing river flows to building the tallest bridges, infrastructure projects require careful planning and innovative techniques to ensure durability and efficiency.

Insights

  • Demolishing tall buildings involves precise detonator placement on key supports for a controlled collapse, illustrating the intricacy and planning required for such tasks.
  • Urban design in cities like Amsterdam and Singapore prioritizes housing, efficient transit routes, and green spaces, showcasing a holistic approach that enhances quality of life for residents.

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Recent questions

  • How are underwater tunnels constructed?

    By pumping out water and using tunnel bore machines.

  • What is the purpose of steel rebar bars in construction?

    To reinforce concrete structures.

  • How are rope bridges typically constructed?

    By using pulleys and levers for transportation.

  • How do bridges ensure long-lasting durability?

    By distributing loads through cables, towers, and foundations.

  • What is the purpose of traffic flow studies?

    To optimize light phases based on car volume.

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Summary

00:00

Innovative Engineering Marvels in Urban Infrastructure

  • Demolishing a 28-story building involves strategically placing detonators on load-bearing supports to ensure controlled collapse.
  • Underwater tunnels are created by pumping out water from makeshift dams, allowing tunnel bore machines to tunnel through and place prefabricated tunnels.
  • Amsterdam and Singapore are recognized for good urban design, emphasizing housing, efficient routes, and green spaces.
  • Roads and highways often follow indigenous footpaths, evolving into modern transportation routes.
  • The Chicago River's flow was reversed by digging a canal to redirect water downstream, preventing pollution in Lake Michigan.
  • The Millau Viaduct, the tallest bridge globally, uses cable-stay design to transfer loads to support the deck and towers.
  • Steel rebar bars are crucial in reinforcing concrete structures, with the number indicating the diameter of the bar.
  • Rope bridges are built by initially getting a rope across and then using pulleys and levers for transportation.
  • Bridges are designed to last by distributing loads through cables, towers, and foundations, undergoing rigorous testing for reliability.
  • Traffic flow studies optimize light phases based on car volume, prioritizing high-traffic roads for smoother movement.

14:39

Tall buildings sway in wind, use dampers

  • Wind can cause tall buildings to sway, leading to negative Vortex and heavy vibrations; skyscrapers use dampers to counteract swaying, with hydraulic actuators hidden within the building to match the natural wind frequency. Cement is a powder that forms a paste when mixed with water, while concrete includes rocks as well, making it a complete recipe with cement as an ingredient. Elevated freeways must consider vertical clearance for traffic passing underneath, requiring gradual vertical curves to ensure smooth travel, even if it may make some areas appear unnecessarily high.
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