Prestressed plasters for old buildings
Bent concrete beams, cracks on the undersides of bridges, risk of rust for the reinforcement: In Switzerland, many structures are getting on in years. Take national roads, for example: According to the 2019 report of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO),.....»»
Glacial lake outburst floods in Alaska and the Himalayas show evolving hazards in a warming world
In August 2023, residents of Juneau, Alaska, watched as the Mendenhall River swelled to historic levels in a matter of hours. The rushing water undercut the riverbank and swallowed whole stands of trees and multiple buildings......»»
The Story of One iPhone Factory Powering Apple’s Pivot to India
Apple is betting big on India as it pivots iPhone manufacturing from China. Here's how that's playing out for workers in South India Set back from a dusty highway in South India, three newly completed factory buildings rise up behin.....»»
How are ancient Roman and Mayan buildings still standing? Scientists are unlocking their secrets
In the quest to build better for the future, some are looking for answers in the long-ago past......»»
Ecological theory can help explain why segregation persists
An ecological theory may help to explain why segregation is so widespread and persistent in US cities, according to a paper published today in Buildings and Cities. The new way of framing segregation's endurance may provide a useful tool to study and.....»»
Computer simulation explains mysterious rock patterns seen from Czech Republic to Mars
In geology, honeycombs are an intriguing pattern of small cavities on rock surfaces found in coastal regions, wet areas, deserts, and even on Mars. They are fascinating to look at in natural objects and a bane of historic buildings and monuments. Des.....»»
Q&A: What Libya"s floods, Morocco"s earthquake can teach us about resilient infrastructure
On the night of September 8, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit Morocco in the Atlas Mountains near the historic town of Marrakesh. The tremor, the biggest to strike the country in over a century, shattered hundreds of buildings and killed nearly 3,000 p.....»»
Chameleon-inspired coating could cool and warm buildings through the seasons
As summer turns to fall, many people will be turning off the air conditioning and firing up heaters instead. But traditional heating and cooling systems are energy-intensive, and because they typically run on fossil fuels, they aren't sustainable. No.....»»
Thailand"s ancient town of Si Thep added to world heritage list
Thailand's ancient ruined town of Si Thep, a 1,500-year-old complex of temples, monasteries and other buildings, was added to UNESCO's world heritage list on Tuesday......»»
Some Tesla fires were reportedly caused by Idalia floods
Fire crews in places hit by Idalia have warned owners of EVs that took on water to move them away from buildings as their batteries could be a fire risk......»»
A Michigan storm with 75 mph winds downs trees and power lines; several people are killed
A strong storm powered by winds of up to 75 mph (121 kph) in Michigan downed trees, tore roofs off buildings and left hundreds of thousands of customers without power. The National Weather Service said Friday some of the damage may have been caused b.....»»
Study finds no effect of LEED certification on federal buildings" energy efficiency
In 2010, the U.S. government announced a multi-billion-dollar plan to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings, including a focus on LEED certification. Used worldwide, LEED—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—is a system that rat.....»»
As urban heat rises, bird diversity declines: 336-city study
Humans aren't the only ones leaving town when city heat becomes unbearable. A study done on 336 cities in China concludes that heat-retaining buildings and paved surfaces are directly related to a loss in bird diversity. These findings from scientist.....»»
NASA’s buildings are even older than its graying workforce
The space agency says its facilities are in an "increasing state of decline." Enlarge / NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, formerly known as Plum Brook Station, is the world's largest space test chamber. (credit: NASA/M.....»»
New paint gives extra insulation, saving on energy, costs, and carbon emissions
Stanford University scientists have invented a new kind of paint that can keep homes and other buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, significantly reducing energy use, costs, and greenhouse gas emissions......»»
For two backyard bird species, more light pollution is linked to lower survival
Light pollution at night is known to be a deadly hazard for migratory birds, disorienting them and increasing collisions with buildings. Now a new study led by North Carolina State University researchers also finds artificial light at night also link.....»»
After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings
People returning to what remains of the beachside town of Lahaina, Hawaii, and other Maui communities after one of the nation's deadliest wildfire disasters face more dangers, beyond the 2,700 buildings destroyed or damaged and dozens of lives lost......»»
War-damaged urban environment in Kharkiv is fatal for bats: Loss of roosts and lethal traps in destroyed buildings
Russia's war in the Ukraine has severe consequences not only for humans, it also has detrimental effects on populations of urban and semi-urban wildlife in the attacked cities and regions......»»
Cities no place for Australian eagles, but smaller raptors are adapting
Increasing urbanization is reducing biodiversity with cities proving harsh places for many of Australia's native wildlife to live—not least magnificent birds of prey which face lack of habitat, high buildings and disturbance by car noise and night.....»»
What it really takes to turn all those empty office buildings into homes
According to engineers, office spaces can be converted to residential buildings—but it won’t be cheap. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more companies have offered remote work options for their employees, or have even switched to wor.....»»
Examining the contribution of cultural heritage values to steppe conservation on ancient burial mounds of Eurasia
During our history, ancient civilizations have considerably shaped the global ecosystems through a coevolution of landscape and local populations. In some cases, the legacy of the disappeared civilizations is still visible in the form of buildings an.....»»