Archinect - News

See physics behind why buildings crumble

2013-05-22T15:22:00-04:00

CNN's Tom Foreman explains the strength of the tornado in Oklahoma and why some buildings couldn't withstand the force.

UCLA engineers will study the stability of Watts Towers

2013-04-01T16:37:00-04:00

The Watts Towers in South Los Angeles will be the subject of a new study conducted by experts from UCLA to determine the stability of the historic sculptures, which were completed by Simon Rodia in 1954. The study, now underway, is expected to be completed by early next year.

How The Sound Of Rain Helps Engineers Diagnose Unsafe Bridges

2012-10-25T12:11:00-04:00

In the same way that structural deficiencies can be detected with something solid, two engineers from Brigham Young University--Brian Mazzeo and Spencer Guthrie--are listening in for the tell-tale acoustics by splashing bridges with water. They're looking for something called "delamination."

An App For Architects That Makes Physics Easy

2012-10-15T18:58:00-04:00

After seven years of teaching structures to a mixed group of architecture and structural engineering graduate students at MIT, Paul Kassabian found that many of his future architects took a just-enough-to-get-the-homework-done approach to understanding those fundamental components. So he created an app to help them out.

How is computing changing the architect’s job?

2012-07-02T13:18:00-04:00

“The form was reinvented to an extent,” says Yanni Loukissas, a postdoc in MIT’s Program in Science, Technology, and Society (STS). And while the question of exactly which design changes should be credited to Utzon or Arup’s firm has been a matter of some dispute, the building, Louskissas says, stands as “an example where the engineer was instrumental in reshaping the project.”

Student Projects: Cal Poly Pomona (TVEF – Tsunami Vertical Evacuation Facility) Studio

2011-12-20T00:27:28-05:00

Last quarter a group of Cal Poly Pomona architecture and structural engineering students with professors Axel Schimitzberger and Dr. Mikhail Gershfeld conducted a multi disciplinary studio to design prototype tsunami evacuation facilities. The purpose of the studio was to design a temporary shelter during an earthquake/tsunami event and use the structure for other purposes in other times. Students had to design structures from precast concrete and steel. Needlessly to say the work was evolved to the advance levels of structural integrity and architectural innovation. As a final jury member I was impressed not only with the designs but also the simultaneous and symbiotic relationship of the two disciplines in a creative studio environment.

Here is a quote from the studio objectives.

“We anticipate some lively discussions between members of the two disciplines, revealing the different vocabularies of the two cultures. Architecture students will have to explain what they mean by ...