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.
I'm just wondering, in principle, why we don't use this technique for places like tornado alley, or along the hurricane coast, or earthquake prone places?
It seems easy enough to use. Put two blocks together and a cement key to hold them together. The blocks could be built easily enough, I think, to account for wiring and insulation and other housing realities.
So, why isn't this more common in the building industry?
Because they’re poor insulators of heat. Such a design won’t fly well up here in Northern WI where it’s single-digit temperatures and snowing.
Rammed earth houses are supposed to be good insulated houses.
So, I’m not sure if that’s a good reason. You can fill the inside of the blocks with insulating material or the inside side of the blocks.
I’m just curious, that’s all. I’m not that environmentally friendly. :)
Ever been in an adobe building in Arizona in the summertime?
The old masons were meticulous. That trade is going by the wayside. Things change over time....I always learned that if we didn't have those Italian Masons, we wouldn't have front stoops.
… because there were no computers in the 9th century …Human brains are computers in and of themselves, still capable of processing more information than those that built them; and even DNA can code non-biological information at a far more efficient rate than computers. The patriarch Job, according to tradition, was the architect of Egyptian pyramids.
Because Mexican carpenters only know how to slam particle board onto toothpicks.
This sounds similar to Rastra blocks. They’re made (in part) of recycled material, are relatively lightweight, fireproof, with channels for wiring, and they stay cool in summer and hold the heat in winter.
“...or along the hurricane coast”
They do require that in Florida now. Thankfully not Texas, not sure of the other states.
We pour full walls with rebars in our area.....not all the time.....but we can truck the stuff in.
The ancient Greeks locked the huge stones of their city walls together with iron sort of “I” shaped bars fitted into matching slots in the blocks.
Probably almost as strong as rebar.
Still gonna get roofs ripped off and windows sucked out. There are afew cinder block homes in town...very few.
The roof is a good point.
“for places like tornado alley”
I’m not sure how well it would stand up to big tornadoes.
They pack an amazing wallop.
A lot of Cathedrals caved in during construction. I’ll go with the computer designs.
Machu Picchu.
I have no problem with CAD. I’m just wondering about the construction method itself, as to why it couldn’t be used in building modern houses. Roof aside, it seems to be a method that would allow a house to be around for few hundred years.
“Why don’t we build homes using interlocking cement blocks?”
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Dunno! (Ever notice so few folks rarely us that (I dunno) term anymore?)
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BUT, I ‘spect it has much to do w/$$$$$$!
And, like;y the %s are w/me?
;)
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GyG@PlanetWTF?
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Check out Monolithic Domes - Italy TX.
Made with reinforced shotcrete.
https://www.monolithic.org/homes
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