After the War - Revision history

PeterHarding at 12:05, 26 April 2011

2011-04-26T12:05:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:05, 26 April 2011
Line 15:		Line 15:


	On one occasion I checked the structure of a large drive-in theatre screen. All of the screen's structural members were of adequate size so I assumed that all the 'site bolted joints' used to assemble the structure would also be quite adequate even though the details of these had not been submitted. A few months later, during a severe winter storm this assumption was proved to be wrong. The screen was completely demolished by the wind and the ground peppered with broken nuts and bolts. So another lesson learned, 'don't take anything for granted' or on face value. Also, any statement issued by a "loud authoritative voice" should be instantly disbelieved.		On one occasion I checked the structure of a large drive-in theatre screen. All of the screen's structural members were of adequate size so I assumed that all the 'site bolted joints' used to assemble the structure would also be quite adequate even though the details of these had not been submitted. A few months later, during a severe winter storm this assumption was proved to be wrong. The screen was completely demolished by the wind and the ground peppered with broken nuts and bolts. So another lesson learned, 'don't take anything for granted' or on face value. Also, any statement issued by a "loud authoritative voice" should be instantly disbelieved.


	Shortly after the war when I had few staff, the School of Engineering was relocated from Shenton House to the West alongside Fairway. I designed and supervised the construction of the new buildings and later the three annexes for the laboratories and workshops for the three divisions of Engineers, Structural and Mechanical and Electrical.		Shortly after the war when I had few staff, the School of Engineering was relocated from Shenton House to the West alongside Fairway. I designed and supervised the construction of the new buildings and later the three annexes for the laboratories and workshops for the three divisions of Engineers, Structural and Mechanical and Electrical.


	I also worked on a site of a mental institute in Greylands. The original adjoining yards, attached to the cells where the patients lived, were surrounded with high brick walls. Brickwork expands about ½" per one hundred foot length, this movement over the years caused the corners of these yards to shatter. At the time action was taken to demolish these walls and replace them with high wire mesh fences to eliminate the confining 'institutional' effect on the patients. The brick from the demolished walls were cleaned of all mortar and stored for future use such as free standing curved walls or as outdoor stages that were then being introduced in certain schools.		I also worked on a site of a mental institute in Greylands. The original adjoining yards, attached to the cells where the patients lived, were surrounded with high brick walls. Brickwork expands about ½" per one hundred foot length, this movement over the years caused the corners of these yards to shatter. At the time action was taken to demolish these walls and replace them with high wire mesh fences to eliminate the confining 'institutional' effect on the patients. The brick from the demolished walls were cleaned of all mortar and stored for future use such as free standing curved walls or as outdoor stages that were then being introduced in certain schools.


	Later on the Astronomy Society of W.A. built a special observatory in the country, in Bickley, well away from city and suburban lights. The massive telescope was based on a high central tower separated from the surrounding enclosed building. This solid tower had to be completely stable and unmovable providing continues accuracy of throughout lengthy observations, so I had the tower built with the above mentioned asylum bricks on a very thin mortar bed to minimise its shrinkage. The entry to the building was via a high concrete staircase between the ground and the observation floors. During trials it was discovered that people walking up or down them caused the stairs to vibrate, this movement was transferred to the observation floor. I then had to devise and attach to the undersides of the stairs a system of heavy weights that absorbed the stair vibrations and keep the observation floor completely still.		Later on the Astronomy Society of W.A. built a special observatory in the country, in Bickley, well away from city and suburban lights. The massive telescope was based on a high central tower separated from the surrounding enclosed building. This solid tower had to be completely stable and unmovable providing continues accuracy of throughout lengthy observations, so I had the tower built with the above mentioned asylum bricks on a very thin mortar bed to minimise its shrinkage. The entry to the building was via a high concrete staircase between the ground and the observation floors. During trials it was discovered that people walking up or down them caused the stairs to vibrate, this movement was transferred to the observation floor. I then had to devise and attach to the undersides of the stairs a system of heavy weights that absorbed the stair vibrations and keep the observation floor completely still.


	When my construction workload did increase it mostly concerned steel structures. Pre WWII steel structural sections were all rolled so 'open' not 'closed' like tubes (see diagram), all were in very short supply after WWII but tubes such as water pipes etc. were abundant.		When my construction workload did increase it mostly concerned steel structures. Pre WWII steel structural sections were all rolled so 'open' not 'closed' like tubes (see diagram), all were in very short supply after WWII but tubes such as water pipes etc. were abundant.


Line 41:		Line 41:


	A few years after the war, when I was designing ALL roof trusses using pipes in lieu of the pre-war angle irons, I was asked to design a new workshop for the P.W.D. machinery Storage and Repair Depot in east Perth. By this time the P.W.D. had acquired a multitude of heavy tracked earth moving machines that had replaced the pre-war horse drawn drag line buckets etc. This workshop was to be used to de-track the vehicles, roll the track up and hoist them on a truck and take them to already existing factory for repairs. The new factory included a one ton monorail hoist attached to the bottom chords of the trusses, when it was finished, the workmen flatly refused to work in as they were used to working in the old factory with large over-sized heavy timber trusses over head. The silhouettes of the pipe trusses were much smaller so the workers said they were made of 'fencing wire' and any extra loading would collapse the building. I eventually persuaded a small group of them to drive in and coil up the track of one of the big machines then wait outside, but still within sight of the interior. I used the hoist to move the track up and down, to and fro. I would force the load to stop and start rapidly making it bounce and sway. This of course shook the building slightly but had no other effect on it. After the demo., the workers, some still with doubtful looks, agreed to work inside. So I became a potential strike breaker.		A few years after the war, when I was designing ALL roof trusses using pipes in lieu of the pre-war angle irons, I was asked to design a new workshop for the P.W.D. machinery Storage and Repair Depot in east Perth. By this time the P.W.D. had acquired a multitude of heavy tracked earth moving machines that had replaced the pre-war horse drawn drag line buckets etc. This workshop was to be used to de-track the vehicles, roll the track up and hoist them on a truck and take them to already existing factory for repairs. The new factory included a one ton monorail hoist attached to the bottom chords of the trusses, when it was finished, the workmen flatly refused to work in as they were used to working in the old factory with large over-sized heavy timber trusses over head. The silhouettes of the pipe trusses were much smaller so the workers said they were made of 'fencing wire' and any extra loading would collapse the building. I eventually persuaded a small group of them to drive in and coil up the track of one of the big machines then wait outside, but still within sight of the interior. I used the hoist to move the track up and down, to and fro. I would force the load to stop and start rapidly making it bounce and sway. This of course shook the building slightly but had no other effect on it. After the demo., the workers, some still with doubtful looks, agreed to work inside. So I became a potential strike breaker.


	Quite a few years later, through the aegis of my wife I designed the structure for a factory to produce windmills. Later I was told that the structure was fabricated and erected for a price much less than the cost of the raw pipe materials from tube wrights for one of their standard designs. Result – a very satisfied client!		Quite a few years later, through the aegis of my wife I designed the structure for a factory to produce windmills. Later I was told that the structure was fabricated and erected for a price much less than the cost of the raw pipe materials from tube wrights for one of their standard designs. Result – a very satisfied client!

PeterHarding at 12:03, 26 April 2011

2011-04-26T12:03:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:03, 26 April 2011
Line 3:		Line 3:
	------		------

	On rejoining the P.W.A.D. (Public Works Department Architectural Division) after war service, before the volume of design built up from it's dearth during war time, I spent time examining metropolitan government and private buildings and other constructions to assess their general condition. This was because damage to the external brick cladding of the multi-storey Royal Perth Hospital, built just before the war, had occurred during the five year war period and highlighted the need. The government tended to build long low buildings on large plots of land whereas private industry tended to build high narrow buildings on small plots of land. My experience allowed me to contradict many private consulting Engineers several times, when they reported on various buildings and other distressed structures, sometimes in court cases. One memorable occasion dealt with a massive crack in a 3 or 4 storey brick Uni building on the side of Mounts Bay Road opposite the river at the junction of Hackell Drive. The consultant's report said the cracking was due to subsidence caused by the land sliding into the adjacent Swan River. I proved that the cracking was caused by the rusting of 'hoop iron' straps that used to, in days gone by, be laid in the mortar joint to provide tension strength to the brickwork. Rust can exert a force of 80 tons per square inch.		On rejoining the P.W.A.D. (Public Works Department Architectural Division) after war service, before the volume of design built up from it's dearth during war time, I spent time examining metropolitan government and private buildings and other constructions to assess their general condition. This was because damage to the external brick cladding of the multi-storey Royal Perth Hospital, built just before the war, had occurred during the five year war period and highlighted the need. The government tended to build long low buildings on large plots of land whereas private industry tended to build high narrow buildings on small plots of land. My experience allowed me to contradict many private consulting Engineers several times, when they reported on various buildings and other distressed structures, sometimes in court cases. One memorable occasion dealt with a massive crack in a 3 or 4 storey brick Uni building on the side of Mounts Bay Road opposite the river at the junction of Hackell Drive. The consultant's report said the cracking was due to subsidence caused by the land sliding into the adjacent Swan River. I proved that the cracking was caused by the rusting of 'hoop iron' straps that used to, in days gone by, be laid in the mortar joint to provide tension strength to the brickwork. Rust can exert a force of 80 tons per square inch.


	Another occasion was the Coroner's inquest into the death of a rigger, assisted by his son in the dismantling of the triple steel wire guyed wireless tower on top of Newspaper House in St Georges Terrace. The rigger was seated on the bottom of a long rope which had been threaded through a pulley at the top of the tower, when pulling himself to the tower top, between two of the wire guys, the top bent outwards from the tower by swivelling at the mid level guys. This swung him and tower top sideways a considerable distance, and still swivelling, also swung downwards and inwards hitting the side of the building with considerable force which killed the rigger. The consultants report to the Coroner was that the rusting of the tower at mid guy level had caused the tower to fold and rotate at that point. My report to the Coroner after the examination of debris was completely different to the consultant's. Although the twine covering was long enough to indicate the necessary 8 tucks to each of several guy loop splices, there was only 2 tucks to each loop. Also all guy ropes were in several sections and joined by massive ceramic insulators, some of which had split down the middle which would allow, under excessive loads, for the two loops to come together with a considerable jolt pulling out the two tucks of the splices; so opening the loop and destroying the supporting action of the guy rope. The action of the rigger pulling himself up and kick himself away from the tower at the start of each pull put an outward force on the tower top, which increased the higher he went. This outward force at the top put a larger load on the rear guy opposite the rigger. This extra load caused the split ceramic guy rope connecters to open up and allow the two adjacent loops to come together, the impact of which would cause the 2 tuck loop splices to slip out, this in turn caused the back guy opposite rigger to fail allowing the top of tower to swing out under the influence of the outward force caused by rigger. The combination of this outward load at the top, the distance between top and mid tower guys and the considerable extra load to the single tower leg that the rigger was kicking against caused the leg to buckle allowing the tower to bend and rotate at this point. So my contention was that responsibility for the death was not due to rust, but lay squarely with the splicer of the wire rope guys.		Another occasion was the Coroner's inquest into the death of a rigger, assisted by his son in the dismantling of the triple steel wire guyed wireless tower on top of Newspaper House in St Georges Terrace. The rigger was seated on the bottom of a long rope which had been threaded through a pulley at the top of the tower, when pulling himself to the tower top, between two of the wire guys, the top bent outwards from the tower by swivelling at the mid level guys. This swung him and tower top sideways a considerable distance, and still swivelling, also swung downwards and inwards hitting the side of the building with considerable force which killed the rigger. The consultants report to the Coroner was that the rusting of the tower at mid guy level had caused the tower to fold and rotate at that point. My report to the Coroner after the examination of debris was completely different to the consultant's. Although the twine covering was long enough to indicate the necessary 8 tucks to each of several guy loop splices, there was only 2 tucks to each loop. Also all guy ropes were in several sections and joined by massive ceramic insulators, some of which had split down the middle which would allow, under excessive loads, for the two loops to come together with a considerable jolt pulling out the two tucks of the splices; so opening the loop and destroying the supporting action of the guy rope. The action of the rigger pulling himself up and kick himself away from the tower at the start of each pull put an outward force on the tower top, which increased the higher he went. This outward force at the top put a larger load on the rear guy opposite the rigger. This extra load caused the split ceramic guy rope connecters to open up and allow the two adjacent loops to come together, the impact of which would cause the 2 tuck loop splices to slip out, this in turn caused the back guy opposite rigger to fail allowing the top of tower to swing out under the influence of the outward force caused by rigger. The combination of this outward load at the top, the distance between top and mid tower guys and the considerable extra load to the single tower leg that the rigger was kicking against caused the leg to buckle allowing the tower to bend and rotate at this point. So my contention was that responsibility for the death was not due to rust, but lay squarely with the splicer of the wire rope guys.


Line 12:		Line 12:


	My contradictions of consultant's reports over the years did nothing to improve their opinion of me. Because of all the above, part of my training of new Engineering staff included sending them to examine and explain the causes of distress in various government and privately owned buildings and other constructions. Mostly they were wrong in their assessments!		My contradictions of consultant's reports over the years did nothing to improve their opinion of me. Because of all the above, part of my training of new Engineering staff included sending them to examine and explain the causes of distress in various government and privately owned buildings and other constructions. Mostly they were wrong in their assessments!


	On one occasion I checked the structure of a large drive-in theatre screen. All of the screen's structural members were of adequate size so I assumed that all the 'site bolted joints' used to assemble the structure would also be quite adequate even though the details of these had not been submitted. A few months later, during a severe winter storm this assumption was proved to be wrong. The screen was completely demolished by the wind and the ground peppered with broken nuts and bolts. So another lesson learned, 'don't take anything for granted' or on face value. Also, any statement issued by a "loud authoritative voice" should be instantly disbelieved.		On one occasion I checked the structure of a large drive-in theatre screen. All of the screen's structural members were of adequate size so I assumed that all the 'site bolted joints' used to assemble the structure would also be quite adequate even though the details of these had not been submitted. A few months later, during a severe winter storm this assumption was proved to be wrong. The screen was completely demolished by the wind and the ground peppered with broken nuts and bolts. So another lesson learned, 'don't take anything for granted' or on face value. Also, any statement issued by a "loud authoritative voice" should be instantly disbelieved.


Line 21:		Line 21:


	I also worked on a site of a mental institute in Greylands. The original adjoining yards, attached to the cells where the patients lived, were surrounded with high brick walls. Brickwork expands about ½" per one hundred foot length, this movement over the years caused the corners of these yards to shatter. At the time action was taken to demolish these walls and replace them with high wire mesh fences to eliminate the confining 'institutional' effect on the patients. The brick from the demolished walls were cleaned of all mortar and stored for future use such as free standing curved walls or as outdoor stages that were then being introduced in certain schools.		I also worked on a site of a mental institute in Greylands. The original adjoining yards, attached to the cells where the patients lived, were surrounded with high brick walls. Brickwork expands about ½" per one hundred foot length, this movement over the years caused the corners of these yards to shatter. At the time action was taken to demolish these walls and replace them with high wire mesh fences to eliminate the confining 'institutional' effect on the patients. The brick from the demolished walls were cleaned of all mortar and stored for future use such as free standing curved walls or as outdoor stages that were then being introduced in certain schools.

PeterHarding at 12:42, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:42:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:42, 25 April 2011
Line 9:		Line 9:


	''' refer to sketches in draft'''		''''' refer to sketches in draft'''''


Line 30:		Line 30:


	'''INSERT DIAGRAM OF PRE WWII STEEL STRUCTURAL SECTIONS'''		'''''INSERT DIAGRAM OF PRE WWII STEEL STRUCTURAL SECTIONS'''''


Line 38:		Line 38:
	a) The material is concentric to longitudinal axis and is closed section creating admirable torsion (twisting) ability, both these conditions are lacking in angle irons.		a) The material is concentric to longitudinal axis and is closed section creating admirable torsion (twisting) ability, both these conditions are lacking in angle irons.

	b) Because of this ~~superiorly~~ over angle irons they can be made from less material and still resist an equivalent load. This meant that although tubes cost more to produce, their costs of use in a construction would be approximately the same.		b) Because of this superiority over angle irons, they can be made from less material and still resist an equivalent load. This meant that although tubes cost more to produce, their costs of use in a construction would be approximately the same.


Line 53:		Line 53:


	In my 37 yrs of practice I came across a saying "those that can do, and those that can't, teach". I did the first full time and as an adjunct, the second.		During my 37 yrs of practice I came across a saying - "those that can do, and those that can't, teach". I did the first full time and as an adjunct, the second.

PeterHarding at 12:40, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:40:41Z

Show changes

PeterHarding at 12:29, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:29:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:29, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:

	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[Chief Engineer of Structures]]		Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[Chief Engineer of Structures]]

Line 10:		Line 9:

	[[Category:Lew's Bio]]		[[Category:Lew's Bio]]
			[[Category:From Typo3]]

PeterHarding at 12:18, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:18:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]
			Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[Chief Engineer of Structures]]

	------		------



	------		------

	Back to [[Book Structure~~]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx~~]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]]		Back to [[Book Structure]]\| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[Chief Engineer of Structures]]


	[[Category:Lew's Bio]]		[[Category:Lew's Bio]]

PeterHarding at 12:12, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:12:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:

	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]		Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]

PeterHarding at 12:12, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:12:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:12, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:

	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| ~~PreviousChapter~~: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]		Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]

			------



			------

	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]] \| ~~PreviousChapter~~: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]]		Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]] \| Previous Chapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]]


	[[Category:Lew's Bio]]		[[Category:Lew's Bio]]

PeterHarding at 12:11, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:11:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:11, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:

			Back to [[Book Structure]] \| PreviousChapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]

	~~Back to [[Book Structure]] \| PreviousChapter: [[xx]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]~~




			Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]] \| PreviousChapter: [[The Army - 7th Mechanical Equipment Coy]]
	Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]] \| PreviousChapter: [[xx]]


	[[Category:Lew's Bio]]		[[Category:Lew's Bio]]

PeterHarding at 12:11, 25 April 2011

2011-04-25T12:11:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:11, 25 April 2011
Line 1:		Line 1:


			Back to [[Book Structure]] \| PreviousChapter: [[xx]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]]





			Back to [[Book Structure]] \| Next Chapter: [[xx]] \| PreviousChapter: [[xx]]


	[[Category:Lew's Bio]]		[[Category:Lew's Bio]]