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Showing posts from February, 2023

SOLAR BUILDING

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  Location 213 Truman St. NE,  Albuquerque, New Mexico Coordinates 35°04′51″N   106°35′16″W ′16″W Built 1956 Architect Stanley & Wright The Solar Building, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the world's first commercial building to be heated primarily by solar energy.   It was built in 1956 to house the engineering firm of Bridgers & Paxton, who were responsible for the heating system design. It was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1985 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1989, only 33 years after it was built. The firm of Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers was founded in 1951 by Frank Bridgers and Donald Paxton both of whom were interested in the potential applications of solar energy. Initially operating out of a garage behind Bridgers' house, the two men conceived a new office building for their firm which would include an experimental solar heating system. They believed such a system would not only s

Difference between Cinder Blocks & Concrete Blocks

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  What Are Cinder Blocks Cinder blocks are hollow coal concrete blocks. Due to being lightweight, cinder blocks are ideal for garden walls. They don’t work well for larger construction projects, but they are an excellent choice for some smaller projects.  These lightweight blocks have a lower price and are easier to move than standard concrete blocks. And while their strength differs from the latter, they’re still a good choice for a home in many ways. Uses of Cinder Blocks Following are the uses of cinder blocks ·         Cinder blocks can be used as centerpieces to enhance the room’s appearance. ·         Cinder blocks can be used to make a grill, firewood storage, birdhouses, etc. ·         You can build an outer fireplace with cinder blocks that give a cozy look. What Are Concrete Blocks Concrete blocks are common building blocks made from cement, water, and various aggregates, such as crushed stone, gravel, or sand. They are mixed with water and then allowed to c

Floor Joist – Types, Spacings, Standard Sizes, Advantages

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  What Is a Floor Joist? Floor joists are horizontal structural elements that extend into an open space, usually between beams, which then transfer loads to vertical structural elements. These beams, part of the floor system, carry weight with everything in the room, including walls, furniture, appliances, and even people. Types of Floor Joist There are 3 main types of floor joists: I Joist Solid Lumber Open Web Truss Joist   1. I Joist I-shaped floor joists are robust, lightweight “I” -shaped wooden components that meet the required performance standards. I-joists consist of upper and lower flanges that resist bending, are joined to the ribs, and provide exceptional shear resistance.  The flange material is usually laminated veneer (LVL) or fine lumber and the strip is made of plywood or OSB. The robust combination of structural elements results in a versatile, economical frame element that is easy to install in residential and light commercial projects. Advant

Surveying

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  What Is Surveying? Surveying may be divided into two general categories. Geodetic Surveying and Plane Surveying. 1. Geodetic Surveying: Geodetic surveying is a particular type of surveying where the curvature of the earth is taken into account. Since the earth has a spherical shape, the line connecting any two points on the earth’s surface is curved or is an arc. Hence it involves spherical trigonometry. In geodetic surveying, large distances and areas are measured and its degree of accuracy is comparatively high. 2. Plane Surveying: Plane surveying  is a specific type of surveying where the surface of the earth is considered as a plane and the curvature of the earth is not taken into account. The line connecting any two points is a straight line and the angles of polygons are plane angles. This type of surveying is suitable for small and flat areas, and its degree of accuracy is comparatively low. In America, the limit for treating a surface as a plane is ab