I found this interesting video from the on how sinkholes form. The Tech Insider UK video below is a brief excerpt from a more detailed video at the Practical Engineering YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/e-DVIQPqS8E
Small Hydroelectric Stations
Clean energy is a buzz word we hear a lot, with hydroelectricity playing a big role in the delivery of clean, sustainable energy. However, there are environmental and financial concerns with the construction of new dams needed to produce hydroelectricity, especially in remote regions with small waterways.
Turbulent (http://www.turbulent.be/old-home) is a firm in Belgium that is manufacturing small, decentralized micro-hydropower plants, with features such as: fish friendly, low maintenance, suitable for low-head waterways, and no flood risks.
Below is a video of how their micro-hydropower plants work.
UT Engineering Research Facility Construction to Begin in 2018
LandTech performed a topographic survey, utility location, and mapping of an approximate 7 acre area for the new engineering and research facility at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The new building will be constructed on the east side of Neyland Stadium in the area currently occupied by Estabrook, Berry and Pasqua Hall.
Based on an article from the UT Alumni page:
UT will soon begin construction on a $129 million, 228,000-square-foot building that will provide state-of-the-art research and classroom facilities for engineering students and faculty.
Demolition work should begin this summer, with construction commencing in the fall. The tentative completion date is fall 2021.
The project will be closely coordinated with the first phase of improvements slated for Neyland Stadium, which will also begin in 2018.
Source: http://alumni.utk.edu/s/1341/alumni/interior_alumni.aspx?sid=1341&gid=2&pgid=10777&cid=17579&ecid=17579&crid=0&calpgid=7973&calcid=12465
AGC Releases New Study and Recommendations to Improve Safety
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today released a new safety study and recommendations to help firms improve safety.
The AGC partnered with Virginia Tech to study every construction fatality from 2010 to 2012. Here are a couple of the findings indicated in AGC’s press release:
“Some of what we found in the study confirms long-held assumptions about key safety challenges. For example, that more fatalities occur during the spring and summer; that falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities and that vehicular operations account for one in four construction fatalities.”
“Yet our new study also dispelled a number of long-held assumptions. For example, noon, as opposed to any of the morning hours, is the most deadly hour for construction fatalities. We also found construction firms that employ fewer than 10 people have a significantly higher fatality rate than larger firms. And we learned that transportation-related fatalities are increasing.”
The AGC will be making this report available, free of charge on their website. For more information, visit www.agc.org
FEMA Flood Mapping Budget Under Review
A budget proposal by the Trump Administration could potentially reduce federal funding for FEMA flood mapping.
“A proposal by the Trump administration to cut $190 million in funding for updating U.S. maps of flood-prone areas would trigger higher insurance rates or more homebuilding in risky locations, a consumer group said on Monday.
The White House 2018 budget, unveiled last Thursday, would eliminate a $190 million “discretionary appropriation” for the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) updating of U.S. flood maps and “explore other more effective and fair means of funding flood mapping efforts.”
Costs for mapping have been shared by insurance policyholders and the federal government for the past 15 years, said a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), which operates the flood insurance program.
“The president’s budget directs us to explore avenues to shift these costs away from general appropriations,” the FEMA spokeswoman said.”
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-budget-idUSKBN16R2FT
Executive Order Issued for WOTUS Reconsideration
The US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers issued a controversial rule in 2015 regarding Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
According to a recent article on CNBC:
“The Waters of the United States rule, known as WOTUS, was drafted during the Obama administration and broadened the definition of such things as “tributary” and also toughened controls over “adjacent waters.”
Agriculture groups have been critical of the rule, claiming farmers could lose ranch or farmland because of the regulations. Homebuilder groups also lashed out at the Obama water rule and said it was costly to their business.”
For more, see this CNBC article: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/28/trump-executive-order-seeks-to-roll-back-controversial-obama-water-rule.html
Rotating Homes
Have you ever gotten tired of the view from your house?
From the article on CNN titled “Will these houses make you dizzy? Architects build rotating homes” looks like an Architect in Australia has solved this problem.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/22/architecture/rotating-homes/
“Imagine living in a house that follows the direction of the sun when it’s hot.
Or one that offers a different view out of your bedroom window every day of the week.
For some bold homeowners this is becoming a reality, thanks to an innovative wave of architects who are re-imagining the concept of the house.
Once something firmly routed to the ground, homes are now becoming moving entities that can rotate, change shape, and even adapt to the seasons.“
Below is a video clip from the CNN article.
Foam raises concrete that weighs thousands of pounds
I’ve seen numerous places where concrete slabs and sidewalks have settled. Normally the repairs require removal of the existing settled concrete sections, placement of additional stone bedding, and pouring new concrete to match the level of existing concrete.
Below is a video from TechInsider showing a product that raises existing concrete without the need for reconstruction.
Per TechInsider:
“Mudjacking or slabjacking is a technique used to raise and level concrete. Foundation Works has developed a new foam technique, Polylevel, that can raise thousands of pounds of concrete despite its light weight.”
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/foam-raises-concrete-weighing-thousands-2016-10
Problem with rust?
If you have a problem with rust, then this video may be of interest to you.
New Drone Rules Go Into Effect
Drone technology has the potential to impact many industries, including surveying, civil engineering and construction.
New FAA rules went into effect on August 29, 2016. According to an article by CNBC:
New rules by the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) go into effect Monday, clarifying what is acceptable commercial usage of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones.
Commercial drones must weigh less than 55 pounds, fly up to a maximum of 400 feet in altitude, at a speed of no more than 100 miles per hour, and can only be operated during daytime and up to 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset, according to the FAA rules. Drone operators must also qualify for flying certificates and be at least 16 years old.
Previously, drone operators had to apply for special waivers from the FAA—a time-consuming and pricey process—to use UAVs for business.
source: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/29/faas-new-drone-laws-go-into-effect-monday-allowing-us-companies-to-innovate.html
The FAA requires drone operators to pass a general aeronautical knowledge test. Here is an article with a detailed list of requirements
I think the passage of the new drone rules is a pivotal point in the land surveying industry.