You mean this one off 280 in Hillsborough? It's been there a long time.
Posted on 02/10/2019 10:54:32 AM PST by Jonty30
No need for software if you can learn from nature, at least that's what my ancestors did.
Take the ancient Temple of Borobudur for example. Borobudur - Wikipedia
If this colossal structure were to be build today the amount of computation and simulation required to complete it would be very great.
But because there were no computers in the 9th century what my ancestors did to complete this beautiful edifice was quite interesting in it self.
The learn from observation and harnessing everything that nature has given them in order to complete this temple.
Borobudur is located on the South Central part of Java. It's location pretty much dictates how or with what the temple is going to build. Since volcanoes dotted the landscape the builder choose Andesite as the the main building blocks. Andesite - Wikipedia Andesite is a very light volcanic rock.
On average between 20% to 40% of the rock's volume is actually air due to the pores. These pores came from the way the rock were born inside the belly of a volcano. Because there were a lot of it lying around, using Andesite would be a no brainier instead of importing a more robust type of rock from outside the region. On average the weight of individual stones in Borobudur rarely exceeds 9 kg. Meaning it would be very efficient and cheap to build the temple.
Another trick that my ancestors deployed in order to finish the job is the involvement of a mortar free construction method.
Today, despite our technological advances, mortar free construction is still rare. From small simple homes to tall skyscrapers, nearly all used mortars. But Borobudur and many other ancient structures in Java are actually free from mortar.
How? By using spacial imagination.
They used interlocking mechanisms to get the stones in place and support each other. By joining the stones this way there's no need for a complex computation or mathematical equations to get the jobs done. The simply used their imagination.
Why mortar free? Because of the nature of Java. Java is tropical. It's hot and humid all year round. When it rains it pours down heavily. Imagine what would happened to a mortar if exposed to these tropical elements for a prolonged period of time. The mortar would be rotting away leaving the integrity of Borobudur jeopardized.
Not to mention Java is prone to periodical volcanic eruptions and large earthquakes.
Sulfur contained in the volcanic ash would literally dissolve mortars, while during earthquakes, mortars would break and caused the structure to break with it. That's why even after 1000 years Borobudur and other ancient temples in Java still stood firm. If an earthquake nock down the structure, people would simple put the pieces back together like Lego bricks. The absence of mortars allow this to happen. Ancient structures does not meant it's a primitive structures build by primitive people. On the contrary many of these ancient building, at least in my country were build with sustainability, efficiency and safety in mind.
It's incredible to think that people in the past don't need a complex or fancy software in order to build a lasting structure.
“tornadoes and dome houses”
Very interesting. Tornadoes were my first childhood fear. Sitting in the storm cellar with nothing but a Coleman lantern, watching the water rise, listening to people talk about how “a whole church basement full of people were killed when a tornado sucked all the air out...”
I lived in Ft Leavenworth Kansas for a year when I was very young. We had only one tornado warning but I remember it.. I recall the clouds having a peculiar look to them. I’ll stick with earthquakes.
“Rather cheesy, don’t you think?”
LOL!!!
You mean this one off 280 in Hillsborough? It's been there a long time.
I’ve only seen it from the Interstate. Did this used to be white?
Because they can make solid concrete walls faster and easier?
Chaco Canyon New Mexico Pueblo Bonito massive mortar free stone construction
Yeah, but that was built by alien ant-people. So it doesn’t count. Ha ha.
I love Chaco canyon. One of the most “awesome” places i’ve Ever been.
Yes, but it’s changed colors over the years.
Shipping containers......................
Reminds me of Angkor Wat, although not nearly as elegant.
I also like Anghor Soway.
As long as the foundation is actually put in -- that is in China, right?
They are getting popular here in the US as well.
You can buy a used cargo container for $2500-$3000 here, delivered!...............
Sure, it's part of the silly microhousing movement. A musician I knew as a kid got some publicity because he's built a cap for his pickup bed (used to be a common thing to do out here among the hardworking poor farming communities) as if it were some sort of choice -- he really just lost everything on a very stupid 'investment'. Give me land, lots of land...
homes from cargo containers:
homes from horse trailers:
First I had heard of ‘One Trip’ containers.
If they are that common, they would be a possible solution to the homeless problem rampant in big cities.
Basic shelter, add water, sewer and electric outlet. Get people off the street......................
:^) I know a guy who made a living out of building adirondack style furniture out of old skids. Maybe he could furnish the shipping containers. :^)
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