Jump to content

Recommended Posts

That post could hold up several 2 story chimneys.

Folks think there's some form of atomic entropy wherein wood frame buildings just fly apart, collapse, or otherwise disassemble themselves.

Uh uh. They're probably among the most resilient structures ever built.

Back in the 'early-mid '80's when Lake Michigan was at record highs, there were a lot of houses over in Michigan washing into the lake. Waves would undercut the bluffs until the whole dune would slide into the lake. I'd see old farmhouses cantilevered out over the abyss...1/3, sometimes ever 1/2 the house just hanging there completely unsupported. Of course they were sagging, but still hanging there.

Then, it was into the lake. Sometimes they'd hang there for months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is very difficult to calculate the composite structural strength of all of the different parts of a building and how they work (or not work) together.

Every once in a while I will get a call from a contractor that is working on one of our projects. The conversation will lead to a discussion about why the building is still standing because they opened-up the walls to expose the structure and were surprised at what appears to be a minimal amount of support and no obvious signs of failure.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is very difficult to calculate the composite structural strength of all of the different parts of a building and how they work (or not work) together.

Every once in a while I will get a call from a contractor that is working on one of our projects. The conversation will lead to a discussion about why the building is still standing because they opened-up the walls to expose the structure were surprised what appears to be a minimal amount of support and no obvious signs of failure.

I believe toe nails, paint and caulk have remarkable structural power that can't be measured.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...