I've just agreed to 'ghost write' the David Wilson blog for my old school mate, Dave 'Snooks' Wilson. The URL is http://thedavidwilson.
Landslide Hazards Program
Landslides constitute a major geologic hazard because they are widespread, occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 fatalities on average each year. Expansion of urban and recreational developments into hillside areas leads to more people that are threatened by landslides each year. Landslides commonly occur in connection with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, and floods. The primary objective of the National Landslide Hazards Program (LHP) is to reduce long-term losses from landslide hazards by improving our understanding of the causes of ground failure and suggesting mitigation strategies.
The LHP has operated since the mid-1970's in gathering information, conducting research, responding to emergencies and disasters, and producing scientific reports and other products for a broadly based user community including geologists and engineers in government, academia and private practice, planners and decision makers from governmental entities at all levels, and the general public.
The results of these efforts have led to significant improvements in understanding the nature and scope of ground-failure problems nationally and worldwide. Such improvements are central to the role of the program, because opportunities remain for fundamental advances in understanding that promise to save lives and dollars.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
A new challenge...
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Chileans Still Stuck In Peru After Landslides
Over 2,000 tourists — including 310 Chileans — were stuck near the Inca ruins after landslides and floods blocked all transit connecting the 7,000 ft Inca ruins with the city of Cusco. Five people were killed, including an Argentine tourist and a tour-guide. Buildings, homes and crops across the Cusco area were destroyed.
The stranded Chileans have loudly complained about the slow evacuation process, with some insinuating that Peruvian officials have discriminated against them.
Evacuations from the Aguas Calientes area adjacent to Machu Picchu area began Wednesday with Peruvian officials giving top priority to those older than 60 and children with their mothers. The evacuation fleet included seven private Peruvian helicopters and four from the US embassy. People on the private helicopters had to pay for their ride.
Travelers stranded in the isolated Machu Picchu village had limited supplies, and many had to sleep at the train station because the hotels were full.
The stranded Chileans have loudly complained about the slow evacuation process, with some insinuating that Peruvian officials have discriminated against them.
Evacuations from the Aguas Calientes area adjacent to Machu Picchu area began Wednesday with Peruvian officials giving top priority to those older than 60 and children with their mothers. The evacuation fleet included seven private Peruvian helicopters and four from the US embassy. People on the private helicopters had to pay for their ride.
Travelers stranded in the isolated Machu Picchu village had limited supplies, and many had to sleep at the train station because the hotels were full.
Was it my multi-blogged moan?
Was it my multi-blogged moan that un-locked my new blog http://sequels-and-trilogies.
I know that blogger took the full 20 days to un-lock a blog of a friend of mine. Now his block WAS highly political but there should be no difference.
Perhaps it was my genuine threat to move to wordpress?
Who knows?
Thank You blogger for acting quickly
Bob de Bilde
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Bob de Bilde gets his 15 minutes of fame...
on IS A C*NT...
http://isacunt.blogspot.com/
Thanks to GOT & the crew
My Disgust at Blogger
Blogger has marked one of my blogs (Prequels, Sequels & Trilogies) as spam...
It will be deleted within 20 days if I do not lodge a review
WTF Blogger... I am seriously considering moving all my blogs to the more versatile Wordpress !
I am reposting this on ALL my other open blogs using the sidewikibar thingy!!!
Buying an apartment in China?
Reposted from my title blog.
Lesson one in buying an apartment in China : make sure the building has a foundation.
YES, IT IS A 13 STORY BUILDING LYING ON THE GROUND.
(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side, to a depth of 4.6 meters
(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side, to a height of 10 meters
(3) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from south and north
(4) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tonnes, which was greater than what the pilings could tolerate.
Thus the building toppled over in the southerly direction.
First, the apartment building was constructed
Then the plan called for an underground garage to be dug out.
The excavated soil was piled up on the other side of the building.
Heavy rains resulted in water seeping into the ground..
The building began to shift and the concrete pilings were snapped
due to the uneven lateral pressures.
The building began to tilt.
And thus came the eighth wonder of the world.
If the buildings were closer together there would also have been a domino effect.
They built 13 stories on grade, with no basement, and tied it all down to hollow pilings with no re-bar.
Brought to you by the same folks that make your kids' toys, who want to build your car and are currently flooding our retail arena with extremely cheap produce...
Lesson one in buying an apartment in China : make sure the building has a foundation.
YES, IT IS A 13 STORY BUILDING LYING ON THE GROUND.
(1) An underground garage was being dug on the south side, to a depth of 4.6 meters(2) The excavated dirt was being piled up on the north side, to a height of 10 meters
(3) The building experienced uneven lateral pressure from south and north
(4) This resulted in a lateral pressure of 3,000 tonnes, which was greater than what the pilings could tolerate.
Thus the building toppled over in the southerly direction.
First, the apartment building was constructed
Then the plan called for an underground garage to be dug out.The excavated soil was piled up on the other side of the building.
Heavy rains resulted in water seeping into the ground..
The building began to shift and the concrete pilings were snapped
due to the uneven lateral pressures.
The building began to tilt.
And thus came the eighth wonder of the world.
If the buildings were closer together there would also have been a domino effect.
They built 13 stories on grade, with no basement, and tied it all down to hollow pilings with no re-bar.
Brought to you by the same folks that make your kids' toys, who want to build your car and are currently flooding our retail arena with extremely cheap produce...
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Haiti devastated by massive earthquake...
A massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
The extent of the devastation is still unclear but there are fears thousands of people may have died.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Frozen Britain seen from above
WEATHER AND TRAVEL INFO
- Get the latest on school closures and travel problems via your BBC Local website
- Check if snow is forecast in your area at BBC Weather
- Details of motorway and local road closures and public transport disruption are available at BBC Travel News
- For advice on handling difficult driving conditions, see the Highways Agency website
- For information about severe weather warnings, see the Met Office website
- For information about staying healthy in the current cold snap, see the NHS Winter Health website
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