"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Engineering
Excavation for Construction
02/15/25
“Why is excavation an essential part of the construction process?”
A solid foundation and physical utility connections are essential to any new building. However, the ground itself may not be level to support this without modification. This is typically solved through Excavation for Construction, where soil and rock are removed to prepare for the insertion of building material. Excavation is essential for many construction processes.
Capillary Fringes
02/14/25
“How can capillary action seep groundwater from the water table?”
Most water in an aquifer is below the aquifer. But some of it will rise to pores above using capillary action. This layer is called the Capillary Fringe.
Image credit: Xiaolong Geng
Water Table
02/12/25
“What is the top surface of an aquifer?”
Aquifers are underground reservoirs that contain water. The top surface of aquifers is called the Water Table. Water tables play an important role in engineering hydraulics work.
Image credit: https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/
Double Loaded Corridors
02/10/25
“What is the most common apartment floor plan in the US and Canada?”
Apartments in the US and Canada typically require at least two different staircases. The most common arrangement to accommodate this is the Double Loaded Corridor. Double-loaded corridors have a long hallway with two different staircases on both ends and units on each side. This layout forces apartment units to have unequal amounts of sunlight. Large family-friendly units are only available to be built on corners.
Point Access Blocks
02/08/25
“How can we improve American and Canadian apartments with one simple design rule?”
Most places in Canada and the US require two staircases per 3+ or 4+ story apartment (respectively) to meet fire safety regulations. This forces the floor layout into a double-loaded corridor with small apartments on each side of the central hallway. However, if we were to allow apartments to carry only one staircase, we would have much more flexibility with floor geometries. This small action enables the creation of Point Access Blocks. Point access blocks maximize the usable floor area, allow daylight to hit multiple sides of a building, increase ventilation, and lower cost. The US and Canada can greatly expand affordable multifamily housing by making point access blocks easier to build.
Building Point of Access
02/06/25
“How do we define the access point to a building?”
Buildings come in all shapes and sizes. But something almost all of them have in common is that they have a main entrance. This defines the Building Point of Access that people may use to enter and exit.
Waste Management
02/05/25
“How do we classify the processes for managing waste?”
People produce waste every day. Methods for collecting, transporting, treating, and disposing of waste must be developed. These actions are grouped under the umbrella of Waste Management. If proper waste management is not undertaken, major public health issues can ensue.
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plans
02/01/25
“How can we create plans to reduce construction activity pollution?”
Construction activity generates pollution through soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust. Construction and development professionals can create Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plans by considering how to control debris and material generated from construction activity. This is an important component of LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities.
UV Air Purifiers
01/30/25
“How can we use UV lighting for air purification?”
HVAC systems often recycle air inside a building. When one person is sick, they can spread their bacteria and germs throughout the ventilation system and make others ill. How can we use our engineering mindset to solve this? Well, we know that UV lights can kill harmful pathogens. What if we were to use UV lighting as in the air filter? This is exactly how UV Air Purifiers work.
Image credit statewideconditioninginc.com
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