May 21
2009

Construction workers used saws to remove the broken pipe alongside Bethesdas River Road in December. The 66-inch-diameter pipe had been placed directly against jagged rock instead of in the required bed of gravel. (By Sarah L. Voisin -- The Washington Post)

Construction workers used saws to remove the broken pipe alongside Bethesda's River Road in December. The 66-inch-diameter pipe had been placed directly against jagged rock instead of in the required bed of gravel. (Image By Sarah L. Voisin -- The Washington Post)

ASCE alerted me to this story in their latest news brief.  It was a reminder as to why we do the things we do as engineers as well as the problems that we face with aging infrastructure.  This 66-inch water pipe exploded under pressure.  It is thought that installation next to jagged rock put undue stress on the pipe much as one would experience by having a knee pressed into one’s back.  The pipe should have been over-excavated and placed on a bed of gravel.  The wonder is that it took 44 years for this mishap to occur.  I expect more such ticking time-bombs will come to our attention as they cannot escape the clock and our infrastructure isn’t getting any younger.

Tags: , , ,



Trackback  •  Posted in Media  


May 21
2009

Triangle Land ConservancyI was reminded in my most recent trip to the TLC’s Irvin Learning Farm just how much of a problem that ticks can be.  I did not think to wear any insect repellent or tuck my pants into my boots.  I did not check closely enough when cleaning up in the shower either as it was not until the next day that I noticed the bite marks and one tick still clinging to my mid-section.  As a result, I had to suffer through the consequences and, this time it meant body aches and fatigue.  It has not turned out to be serious, but it is a reminder of just what diseases ticks carry and the risks one takes when not taking the proper precautions.  I don’t think I will forget this the next time I venture out into the field.  I just forgot that “the farm” is “the field” and that most any tall grass poses a potential risk.  Usually, when I am in the field, it’s completely undeveloped and/or abandoned except for the odd trail.

Tags:



Trackback  •  Posted in Triangle Land Conservancy