China: Fatal Building Collapse Rings Alarm Bells For Developers

June 27, 2009: Shanghai was shocked out of its slumber by the sound of a 13-story tower block crashing to the ground. But the fatal accident may prove a bigger wake-up call for the construction industry, say experts, who have accused building firms of sacrificing quality for quick profits.

An investigation report last Friday revealed the collapse had been caused by the foundations being undermined by a combination of dug-out soil being piled 10 m high against one side and the digging of a 4.6-m-deep underground car park on the other.

A preliminary investigation showed the building's foundations had shifted around 10 cm by the 3,000-ton lateral force of a 10-m-high pile of mud on its north side.

The Director of the real estate studies institute at Tongji University in Shanghai say the incident highlights the lack of an effective construction supervision system in China, while others have called for a new independent body to be set up to oversee safety and quality standards.

FX Magazine - June 2011

FX Magazine - June 2011
English | True PDF | 158 Pages | 52 MB

Over the past two decades FX Magazine it has become the market leader in worldwide contract interior design. FX reaches the most influential specifiers in the commercial contract interior market. FX includes all sectors of the contract industry in each issue to make it both invaluable to all designers as well as a compulsive read. Each issue is packed with opinion, colour and controversy from the leading practices and suppliers across all sectors of interior design including hotel, commercial, leisure, retail, healthcare and education.

Can I Lay New Tiles Over Old Ones?

It is possible, with modern technology, to successfully bond tile to tile. Done properly, a new tiled installation can be placed permanently over an existing tiled installation. If the existing tiled surface is dimensionally stable, has the required expansion joints, and is satisfactorily on-plane, this method can be used. Its desirability, however, rest on the user.

The main drawback to this method is its increases in dimensions and the aesthetic appearance differences. This simply means that the new installation may not fit. For example, if the floor tile is already at a maximum height in a room, it may not be possible to add additional height. Or, if the existing tile in a tub enclosure is already at the maximum thickness allowed for the wall, this method cannot be used.

The aesthetic differences mentioned also include the way the new installation will receive the trim. Generally, the new installation will have to receive some additional trim element in order to be visually appealing. 

In the case of flooring, it may be necessary to install a threshold to make up for the difference in height. In the case of wall tile, additional trim elements will need to be used for the same visually appealing reason.

Once the decision has been made to use the tile over tile method, the next question deals with what type of bonding agent will be used. Certain types of organic adhesives, Portland cement mortars, and epoxy mortars can be used. The Manufacturers recommendations should always be used.

The first step in the tile over tile process is thoroughly washing the existing tile to remove any wax, oil, and coatings that would adversely affect a good bond. The next step, which is recommended, is to rough up the surface with a carborundum disk or belt sander. This step is followed by a fresh water wash to remove the sanding particles .

Excavator Stunt

 This is how excavators are unloaded in Norway.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV9ZoGzE0hI&feature=player_embedded