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Earth-scraper in Mexico 2
- Thread starter Robbiee
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MikeHalloran
Mechanical
I wonder where the water table is.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
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- #3
The best part about this article is that "architects" have designed it. Mexico City already has buildings which have settled a full storey because the water has been pumped out from under the city. The amount of dewatering this fiasco would require would adversely affect a large surrounding area.
TXStructural
Structural
Mexico City is largely above a filled-in lake. And how do you propose to excavate a large funnel shape when "there are no available plots"?
HeavyCivil
Structural
Mexico City has drawn down its water table over the years which is also causing settlement issues.
Sounds like a depressing place to live with no windows. Maybe they don't have egress requirements there?
Sounds like a depressing place to live with no windows. Maybe they don't have egress requirements there?
msquared48
Structural
Well, this is truly very impressive Architectural forethought!
When it collapses, at least they won't have to worry about burying the bodies.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
When it collapses, at least they won't have to worry about burying the bodies.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
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JedClampett
Structural
Maybe they're holding the plans upside down?
rowingengineer
Structural
Some tunnels in the world are about this depth, i don't think the answers are any different.
How could you do anything so vicious? It was easy my dear, don't forget I spent two years as a building contractor. - Priscilla Presley & Ricardo Montalban
How could you do anything so vicious? It was easy my dear, don't forget I spent two years as a building contractor. - Priscilla Presley & Ricardo Montalban
@rowingengineer:
The answers ARE different for tunnels because:
1. The tunnel itself may (hopefully, unless blocked with rubble or water) provide an escape path at least in one direction. The same goes for ventilation
2. No sewage needs to be drained from a tunnel.
3. Natural light is not required in a tunnel because you don't expect to spend more than a few minutes in it.
4. Finally, the number of people who may be affected by a tunnel fire or collapse is far less than the number of people who can be affected by such an accident in a building.
The answers ARE different for tunnels because:
1. The tunnel itself may (hopefully, unless blocked with rubble or water) provide an escape path at least in one direction. The same goes for ventilation
2. No sewage needs to be drained from a tunnel.
3. Natural light is not required in a tunnel because you don't expect to spend more than a few minutes in it.
4. Finally, the number of people who may be affected by a tunnel fire or collapse is far less than the number of people who can be affected by such an accident in a building.
rowingengineer
Structural
elite 7,
1. well not really, if there is a problem I would be taking the escape hatch rather than driving the possible 11km of the Laerdal or longer.
2. there normally are one or two toilets that get pumped to the surface.
3. 24km long could take a while to get thru.
4. Take all depends on the type of event.
I am not saying this is the best idea in the world, but I have seen worse.
How could you do anything so vicious? It was easy my dear, don't forget I spent two years as a building contractor. - Priscilla Presley & Ricardo Montalban
1. well not really, if there is a problem I would be taking the escape hatch rather than driving the possible 11km of the Laerdal or longer.
2. there normally are one or two toilets that get pumped to the surface.
3. 24km long could take a while to get thru.
4. Take all depends on the type of event.
I am not saying this is the best idea in the world, but I have seen worse.
How could you do anything so vicious? It was easy my dear, don't forget I spent two years as a building contractor. - Priscilla Presley & Ricardo Montalban
How do you hold back the earth pressure from an 800' deep hole?
If the soil is around 120pcf the earth pressure will be around 46 bar at the lowest point. Perhaps they can pressurize the lower levels to balance this.
Also the architect is showing an inverted pyramid. Wouldn't it make more sense to make this a cone shape? (compression rings)
If the soil is around 120pcf the earth pressure will be around 46 bar at the lowest point. Perhaps they can pressurize the lower levels to balance this.
Also the architect is showing an inverted pyramid. Wouldn't it make more sense to make this a cone shape? (compression rings)
This is essentially a mining engineering problem. Not unlike an open cut mine, but the plan area is very small in comparison, and would likely be impractical due to site congestion and water table issues. If they are really serious about it, the drilling investigation will shed light on how feasible it is.
hokie66,
Of course an architect designed it ... would an engineer?
It is a sci-fi dream to build something like that. The practical problems of excavation and shoring during construction will pursuade them to do something else.
Holding back the load after it is built shouldn't be a problem. simple concrete rings should give you all the soil resistance you need.
I am sure there are basic problems with getting the waste out of the hole each day that will cost unnecessary power and I doubt the grass they would get on any of the ledges along the inside courtyard would last and you'll have mud banks to enjoy.
The downsides just keep popping up.
I actually wonder if this is a satire on the new city zoning laws that prohibit tall buildings.
Of course an architect designed it ... would an engineer?
It is a sci-fi dream to build something like that. The practical problems of excavation and shoring during construction will pursuade them to do something else.
Holding back the load after it is built shouldn't be a problem. simple concrete rings should give you all the soil resistance you need.
I am sure there are basic problems with getting the waste out of the hole each day that will cost unnecessary power and I doubt the grass they would get on any of the ledges along the inside courtyard would last and you'll have mud banks to enjoy.
The downsides just keep popping up.
I actually wonder if this is a satire on the new city zoning laws that prohibit tall buildings.
concretemasonry
Structural
The structural engineer worries about the resistance to the applied loads and designs the structure accordingly.
In Mexico city an expert in subsurface drainage will obviously be required.
A geo-tech engineer looks at the options for soil loadings since there will be many options when the site is bored and then opened.
The architect is responsible for the general concept and everything that affects the appearance and use. This also includes the general mechanicals and the and the number of toilets. - There are specialists in that field.
I am a registered engineer, but I also am an amateur "Crapologist" in honor of Sir Crapper that developed the first usable flushing toilet. In spite of documenting toilets in 40 countries, I would not venture outside my professional field to determine the number of toilets and sanitary removal system. If built, I am sure there will be a few $6000-$7000 Toto toilets somewhere.
If it is built, I would love go to see the finished product.
In Dubai, many of the structures were also considered follies, but the professions worked to make the concepts work.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
In Mexico city an expert in subsurface drainage will obviously be required.
A geo-tech engineer looks at the options for soil loadings since there will be many options when the site is bored and then opened.
The architect is responsible for the general concept and everything that affects the appearance and use. This also includes the general mechanicals and the and the number of toilets. - There are specialists in that field.
I am a registered engineer, but I also am an amateur "Crapologist" in honor of Sir Crapper that developed the first usable flushing toilet. In spite of documenting toilets in 40 countries, I would not venture outside my professional field to determine the number of toilets and sanitary removal system. If built, I am sure there will be a few $6000-$7000 Toto toilets somewhere.
If it is built, I would love go to see the finished product.
In Dubai, many of the structures were also considered follies, but the professions worked to make the concepts work.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
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