Low tech engineering construction

jools

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Joined
Oct 14, 2013
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257
Those of you with the "keep it simple" mind will appreciate the way this just works!
For those with manpower but not machinery available to them, here's a construction technique that would be handy to know.
Read the calculations below then click on the link at the bottom of the article to see this technique in action.

Something to cheer up an Engineer. Just to put you in the picture and keep you up to date with the latest developments.
Below is a link to a short video of a Pakistani pile driving construction technique.  Notice that the pile driving becomes effective when the extra man jumps on.

Very finely tuned! The chant is also catchy!

Now, let's analyze the Engineering here:

6 men x 180 lbs = 1080 lbs static force.

Jumping up and down will create a 3 times dynamic effect = 3240 lbs/jump =
1.6 ton thumps if the pile is tapered to 2 in x 2 in, cross section at the tip = 4 sq. in.

So, dynamic pressure/thump at pile tip = 3240/4 = 800 psi.

"Add a man" feature will increase to 950 psi, so buy the option!

Increase the chant and dynamic force goes up to 5 times to bring max.
pressure/thump to 1600 psi for a 7 man team.

Quite good, and will penetrate hard clay and sandy soil but not hard rock!
Pretty ingenious.

The foreman is the guy on the tambourine.

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/cFb0nLCKypg?rel=0
 
a-dig-a-diggidy-dung, a-dig-a-diggidy-dung, a-dig-a-diggidy-dung, a-dig-a-diggidy-dung..........

Thanks for putting that in my head!!!  [mad] [mad] [mad]

[big grin]
 
I recall a trip to Mexico City where I was sent to explore the relocation one of our sales/training/call center offices. Meeting with Realtors and Building Engineers we visited numerous new construction sites and I never saw tractors or other large construction machinery - only laborers. When I asked why so much manpower was needed verses using a bulldozer to do a grading in one-third the time, I figured it was because of the lack of availability of the equipment in the country but they said that wasn't the case. They laughed at me and told me that the cost of a bulldozer was way too much money as opposed to hiring lots of cheap labor. That was a learning lesson I'll never forget and this video was a clear reminder! Thanks for that!
 
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