# \#civil-engineering **URL:** https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tag/civil-engineering/2151.md [Latest](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/latest.md) · [Categories](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/categories.md) · [Tags](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tags.md) --- ## [Japan's Rainfall and Landslide Simulator](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/japans-rainfall-and-landslide-simulator/4258)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [27 January 2024 14:56 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/japans-rainfall-and-landslide-simulator/4258 "2024-01-27T14:56:58Z")
Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) operates the world’s largest rainfall simulator in Tsukuba, Japan. The facility consists of a warehouse-sized building… --- ## [The Channel Tunnel after Thirty Years](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-channel-tunnel-after-thirty-years/4226)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [17 January 2024 13:56 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-channel-tunnel-after-thirty-years/4226 "2024-01-17T13:56:29Z")
The English Channel Tunnel opened in 1994 (freight service in June, passengers in November). It is 50.46 km long, with three tubes (two for track, one service and emergency escape tunnel). Trains operate … --- ## [Engineering Railroad Grade Crossings](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/engineering-railroad-grade-crossings/4171)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [5 January 2024 17:18 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/engineering-railroad-grade-crossings/4171 "2024-01-05T17:18:36Z")
Railroad trains have a stopping distance which is usually longer than the engineer’s visibility, even in perfect conditions. This means where a road crosses railroad tracks, it is essential the crossing be… --- ## [Climbing Power Pylons](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/climbing-power-pylons/4143)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [29 December 2023 14:39 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/climbing-power-pylons/4143 "2023-12-29T14:39:39Z")
--- ## [Stabilising the Leaning Tower of Pisa](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/stabilising-the-leaning-tower-of-pisa/4117)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [20 December 2023 12:31 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/stabilising-the-leaning-tower-of-pisa/4117 "2023-12-20T12:31:44Z")
The Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn’t just lean, it is curved. Built over two centuries (1173–1372) in three phases, it began to lean shortly after construction began, and as stories were added, they were buil… --- ## [Civil Engineering of ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/civil-engineering-of-iter-international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor/4019)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [22 November 2023 13:56 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/civil-engineering-of-iter-international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor/4019 "2023-11-22T13:56:25Z")
Earlier posts here about the design and construction of ITER: Fusion Friday (1): Introduction to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) 2022-03-11 Fusion Friday (2): The ITER Blanket … --- ## [Construction of a Sewage Pumping Station, Part 5: Pumps and Electrical Power](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-5-pumps-and-electrical-power/3910)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [26 October 2023 13:14 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-5-pumps-and-electrical-power/3910 "2023-10-26T13:14:00Z")
All of the infrastructure of the sewage “lift station” is there to allow its pumps to deliver the raw sewage that flows into it to the treatment plant located at higher elevation. There are three pumps, an… --- ## [The Monetary Value of a Human Life](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-monetary-value-of-a-human-life/3878)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [18 October 2023 12:46 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-monetary-value-of-a-human-life/3878 "2023-10-18T12:46:19Z")
The value of life is a statistical measure used to assess the cost of avoiding a single fatality. It is also referred to in various contexts as: cost of life value of preventing a fatality (VPF) implied … --- ## [Construction of a Sewage Pumping Station, Part 4: Concrete and Connections](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-4-concrete-and-connections/3854)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [12 October 2023 12:17 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-4-concrete-and-connections/3854 "2023-10-12T12:17:31Z")
Pouring a concrete slab around the “wet well” isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Over time, the wet well may settle into the soil, especially when it’s full of sewage, and if the slab were rigidl… --- ## [Construction of a Sewage Pumping Station, Part 3: Pipe Connections to the Sewer System](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-3-pipe-connections-to-the-sewer-system/3795)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [27 September 2023 15:35 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-3-pipe-connections-to-the-sewer-system/3795 "2023-09-27T15:35:11Z")
Now that the wet well is installed, it must be connected to the existing sewage system. This requires drilling entry and exit ports for the plumbing and installing the large pipes to make the connections. … --- ## [Construction of a Sewage Pumping Station, Part 2: Installing the Wet Well](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-2-installing-the-wet-well/3737)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [13 September 2023 16:28 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-2-installing-the-wet-well/3737 "2023-09-13T16:28:14Z")
The “wet well” is the tank into which raw sewage flows before being pumped from a lift station to the treatment plant it feeds. The wet well for this station is assembled from pre-cast concrete segments, j… --- ## [Heavy Rain after a Long Drought—Prescription for a Flood?](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/heavy-rain-after-a-long-drought-prescription-for-a-flood/3707)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [6 September 2023 12:38 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/heavy-rain-after-a-long-drought-prescription-for-a-flood/3707 "2023-09-06T12:38:43Z")
Here is more on rainfall infiltration. It’s (very) complicated. --- ## [A Rolling Bridge—And It's Square!](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/a-rolling-bridge-and-its-square/3685)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [1 September 2023 13:58 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/a-rolling-bridge-and-its-square/3685 "2023-09-01T13:58:27Z")
Well, almost square, and the rounded corners makes it even more complicated geometrically. The trick is keeping the centre of mass at the same height throughout the rotation. --- ## [Construction of a Sewage Pumping Station, Part 1: Excavation](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-1-excavation/3676)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [31 August 2023 12:23 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-of-a-sewage-pumping-station-part-1-excavation/3676 "2023-08-31T12:23:42Z")
The polite term is “wastewater lift station”. Such stations are built to collect sewage gravity-fed from the surrounding area and pump it to a wastewater treatment plant located at a higher elevation. Thi… --- ## [Construction Site Machinery](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-site-machinery/3613)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [18 August 2023 07:51 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/construction-site-machinery/3613 "2023-08-18T07:51:03Z")
And, what do you call these things? --- ## [Grounding of Electrical Grid Power Transmission Facilities](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/grounding-of-electrical-grid-power-transmission-facilities/3550)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [3 August 2023 12:29 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/grounding-of-electrical-grid-power-transmission-facilities/3550 "2023-08-03T12:29:15Z")
I had never heard before that some power transmission lines are set up so they can use ground power transmission if one conductor is damaged or removed from service for maintenance. The ground terminal ins… --- ## [How Fire Causes Bridges to Collapse](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/how-fire-causes-bridges-to-collapse/3473)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [20 July 2023 11:51 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/how-fire-causes-bridges-to-collapse/3473 "2023-07-20T11:51:47Z")
Highway bridge collapses, due frequently to fuel tanker truck fires beneath them, make the news, cause massive disruptions to transportation, and are expensive to repair, especially in a hurry. But do they… --- ## [Rocket Launch Pad Engineering](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rocket-launch-pad-engineering/3341)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [23 June 2023 00:08 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/rocket-launch-pad-engineering/3341 "2023-06-23T00:08:13Z")
--- ## [Flood Tunnels—When Rivers Go Underground](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/flood-tunnels-when-rivers-go-underground/3282)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [9 June 2023 16:30 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/flood-tunnels-when-rivers-go-underground/3282 "2023-06-09T16:30:44Z")
But what do you do when there isn’t enough flow in your river to avoid stagnation? Recirculation channels—when urban infrastructure meets Disneyland. --- ## [Simulating Structures' Response to Earthquakes with a Shake Table](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/simulating-structures-response-to-earthquakes-with-a-shake-table/3210)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [23 May 2023 13:19 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/simulating-structures-response-to-earthquakes-with-a-shake-table/3210 "2023-05-23T13:19:49Z")
A shake table allows a structure, anywhere from a scale model to a full-size building as in this video, to be subjected to structural loads simulating those created by an earthquake, with up to six degrees … --- ## [The Boring Company Las Vegas Loop to Expand to 65 Miles and 69 Stations](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-boring-company-las-vegas-loop-to-expand-to-65-miles-and-69-stations/3124)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [4 May 2023 14:22 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/the-boring-company-las-vegas-loop-to-expand-to-65-miles-and-69-stations/3124 "2023-05-04T14:22:59Z")
The Boring Co.’s planned Vegas Loop expansion got the green light Wednesday from the Clark County Commission. The system, which originally was planned to feature 29 miles of tunnels with 51 stations, will now add 2… --- ## [Monitoring Infrastructure with Sensors](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/monitoring-infrastructure-with-sensors/3118)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [3 May 2023 10:09 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/monitoring-infrastructure-with-sensors/3118 "2023-05-03T10:09:34Z")
Modern construction projects usually involve detailed calculation of a structure’s response to loads, wind and water forces, terrain effects, and aging of load-bearing members. But after it’s built, how do… --- ## [Exploring Concrete from the Inside Out](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/exploring-concrete-from-the-inside-out/3046)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [15 April 2023 14:38 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/exploring-concrete-from-the-inside-out/3046 "2023-04-15T14:38:04Z")
And why is it called “Portland” cement? For more information on the history and technology of concrete, see Robert Courland’s 2011 book Concrete Planet (the link is to my review). The process of concrete … --- ## [Civil Engineers vs. Old Man River](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/civil-engineers-vs-old-man-river/3005)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [5 April 2023 14:36 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/civil-engineers-vs-old-man-river/3005 "2023-04-05T14:36:24Z")
Water finds a way…. --- ## [Why Construction Projects Always Go Over Budget](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/why-construction-projects-always-go-over-budget/2927)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [22 March 2023 13:13 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/why-construction-projects-always-go-over-budget/2927 "2023-03-22T13:13:26Z")
Could it have anything to do with the detail that when politicians, construction companies, and union bosses sit down to negotiate, taxpayers aren’t represented at the table? --- ## [Why Rivers Change Their Courses](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/why-rivers-change-their-courses/2854)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [8 March 2023 16:42 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/why-rivers-change-their-courses/2854 "2023-03-08T16:42:46Z")
--- ## [Asbestos-Cement “Transite” Pipe for Water Mains](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/asbestos-cement-transite-pipe-for-water-mains/2763)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [17 February 2023 16:08 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/asbestos-cement-transite-pipe-for-water-mains/2763 "2023-02-17T16:08:42Z")
Despite asbestos fibres being carcinogenic when inhaled, there is no evidence that asbestos-cement “transite” water mains cause contamination of the water they deliver. Cutting the pipe during installation… --- ## [Driving on Styrofoam—Lightweight Backfill for Highway Embankments](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/driving-on-styrofoam-lightweight-backfill-for-highway-embankments/2714)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [8 February 2023 12:40 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/driving-on-styrofoam-lightweight-backfill-for-highway-embankments/2714 "2023-02-08T12:40:14Z")
--- ## [Silting of Dammed Reservoirs, Prevention and Removal](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/silting-of-dammed-reservoirs-prevention-and-removal/2668)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [27 January 2023 14:35 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/silting-of-dammed-reservoirs-prevention-and-removal/2668 "2023-01-27T14:35:25Z")
--- ## [Dam Spillway Design](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/dam-spillway-design/2555)
**Author:** [@johnwalker](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/johnwalker)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [4 January 2023 12:49 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/dam-spillway-design/2555 "2023-01-04T12:49:15Z")
The video includes some remarkable examples of actual spillway failures. [Next page](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/tag/civil-engineering/2151.md?match_all_tags=true&page=1&tags%5B%5D=civil-engineering)