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Comments
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am generally “material agnostic” myself. There would be perfectly suitable solution in both steel and concrete for this bridge, technically viable and executable. The question is about an actual design fitting the goals and constraints.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
but, by us, plenty of people do still want one. It does cost something, but the big cost is installing. Not that expensive to run for a season. But if you don't have interest, not worth buying a house with one. Flip side, if you want one, much better to buy a house that already has one in place.
actually, in car terms, it is almost like having a car with a stick shift!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Just know if the Golf isn’t perfect, will probably trade it sooner than later. Probably should’ve been totaled to be honest but they decided to fix it. Will deal with it once I get my hands on it...I do miss it!!
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
"We don't know if it was a design error, a miscalculation by a structural engineer or poor construction work," Wyatt Porter-Brown, an architect who has worked on projects including Miami International Airport, told Bisnow. He said that if the landing supports were not completely level, "even a very minor deviation in elevation — if you're off by 1/8 inch — could cause a huge twist [in the concrete over such a long span]."
"Two things could have happened," he continued. "The deck had cracks observed, and so could have been compromised when they started stressing the cables, or a cable broke, tearing up the deck and weakening it to collapse. I've worked in post-tension projects and it's terrifying, because when a cable breaks, it flies all over, sending concrete builders flying. "Bottom line: they decided not to pull the road closure permit; [it] takes time and money. But even without the advantage of hindsight, they should have for cable-stressing operations." Florida's Department of Transportation would have been responsible for closing roads, but FDOT officials said the department had not been aware any such closures were needed at the time.
Porter-Brown said the skill of the workforce could have been a factor. "It's like going to a Yugo factory and asking them to build a McLaren," he said. "Miami typically doesn't have a lot of high-tech engineering." The National Transportation Safety Board is doing a forensic investigation, and homicide detectives are also involved. In the meantime, in an online Reddit forum devoted to civil engineering, some people speculated that the two bases upon which the span rested were not wide enough to support the weight, or that the span and base had not been properly secured. Speculators discussing technical details in Reddit's online architecture forum had other theories.
If you read the article just go down as far as the video of the bridge:
Sweetwater Bridge Collapse
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Looks like Stickguy's relatives cheaped out.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
over things he barely understands. I just looked up his profile. He is a master of architecture, bachelor from arts. He's been in construction management long enough to pick up the vocabulary, but I don't think he really has a true working knowledge about structures design beyond some basics. Architects have a very vague understanding of how loads are transferred, they work with numbers in terms of proportions, utility and leave stresses to engineers. They know next to nothing about bridges.
Apparently this does not stop him from talking to the media. Guys, be careful when you read a media reporter talking to an "expert" in this case. Real experts won't be caught dead in front of a microphone, mostly for legal reasons, as they usually work for companies that have contracts (on-going or potential) with the affected parties. They'll be permitted to talk only when explicitly requested by the authorities. Guys who end up in front of cameras and microphones are usually either retired gentlemen that have nothing at stake (they can sometimes contribute constructively), or guys like him - people from related industries so hungry for attention, they'll talk regardless whether they know anything specific, or not.
His comment about Miami is just outrageous. I don't live there, but there is plenty of expertise in the area and around (Florida in general), both in design and construction of such structures. Florida is generally a leader state when it comes to bridge design trendsetting (usually Florida publishes its manuals/specifications and then many other non-seismic states follow/copy) and the designer company is one of the leaders in this particular technology of post-tensioning (they're out of Tallahassee, BTW). Doesn't make them immune errors, of course. Can't tell anything about the contractor, but there are plenty of qualified in the area, too. Talking down Miami as an area somehow incapable of handling construction and/or design of this type of structure is revealing mostly about this guy - or the reporter, we know how these guys are, too. It's possible the reporter put words in mouth of this guy that were never uttered.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Your thoughts about the "talkers" are the same as mine. I learned long ago that an expert to a media person is someone they finally found that is willing to talk.
What would be really interesting is to find out how many people turned down the request to spout off.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I had a painter over to give me an estimate to paint the wall (after spraying and sealing the ceiling and the water stains), paint the woodwork, caulk both bathrooms (bathtub and wall seams, sinks, stall shower and vanities) with waterproof caulking and caulk the counter tops in the kitchen with waterproof caulking at the wall and countertop seams.
He he said he would do the job for $400, including paint, caulking and stain sealer. I gave him a jar of the original Sherwin Williams Alibaster paint and he’ll pick up a gallon. I thought $400 was reasonable considering it’s a 6-8 hour job.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/19/17140936/uber-self-driving-crash-death-homeless-arizona
The most likely option is often the truth. Since I've driven a lot of miles over nearly 25 years without killing a pedestrian (nor even touching one), and autonomous cars have now tallied up at least 1 more victim than I in just a few years of use, it seems clear fatally striking a pedestrian is not a normal thing to have happen.
Those who speculate the pedestrian is entirely at fault are really grasping for straws. I like crosswalks to be used too, but that doesn't make me ram people at 40 MPH when they fail to do so. I was taught pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I think it is unprofessional to say the labor pool is not of a good enough quality in a particular area -though that could be the reporters interpretation of what was said. I get some value from the statements made and I think it is fair for someone who works in the business to theorize. No one knows for sure, for the most part he is just giving possible scenarios. I know they are not "the definitive explanation", but I learned about some possible causes which I didn't know about before...like a support being off by 1/8th of an inch could have caused this to happen.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Huge difference between ran/jumped/biked and turned in front of me to "walking with bike in tow." Why would you be so close to someone that at walking speed you still hit them?
I'd be hugging the left line in this situation. If the brakes or steering wheel were never touched, it shows a failure in the programming and sensors to detect the pedestrian. Which is what I suspected all along. Aren't these sensors supposed to be superior to a human?
Seriously though, this has always been my concern with self-drivers, the human factor. Humans being clueless or malevolent in their interactions with the vehicles are unpredictable. How about someone trying to commit suicide for example? How could you program for that?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
This all goes again to human's completely messed up perception of risk. We don't think twice on high risks we take every day and get stupid scared by risks that are very remote, but are brought to our attention by news.
If you ask anybody, if the world is today is more or less violent than say 200 years ago, majority would tell you it's today. The data of deaths caused by violence clearly shows it's not, not even close. But they didn't have CNN or Fox by then. Same goes for those computers driving. I'm sure even if showed incontrovertible evidence that the robot driving is safer (not today, in the future), many will start inventing all kinds of scenarios to "prove" it's not.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Are lap times directly correlated to driving safely on public roadways? Directly, no. Indirectly, yes. I think it is a legitimate "bar" for allowing these dangers on the public roadways. We should ask, why can't the computer beat the best human drivers around the track?
It took them a long time to beat the best chess players. It'll probably take them even longer to master driving.
If you are as sensitive as a snowflake, and need a safe space when government is being criticized, please skip this post.
So the BS speeding ticket for 70 in a 55 that should be posted at 65. Remember I invoked VC 40502(b) to have my case adjudicated at the Country Seat, that court being closer to my place of work.
The legislature in their infinite wisdom put the word "UPON DEMAND" into that law, not "UPON REQUEST" and I believe for good reason, as the Courts seem to ignore and disregard some laws, while trying to enforce arbitrarily the laws they wish to enforce for revenue generation.
The Officer granted my request, if you recall the story. However, on the ticket, he clearly squiggled out the East County, and put the County Seat as the court venue I was to appear at. I signed to appear at the County Seat by 2/20/18.
I received a Courtesy Notice to incorrectly appear at East County (they ignored the citation, the squiggly marks clearly crossing-out that as a selection). It wasn't either or, it was only to be at the County Seat.
So now I have a Failure to Appear charge, which is laughable, since I never signed nor agreed to appear at the East County Court. How could I be charged with such a frivolous thing when if they bothered to look at a copy of the citation they'd see they don't have the evidence to convict!!!!!
They have a harrassing rude collection agency calling me two days in a row Thurs/Friday last week, but they've left me alone since then. Just received the first letter from them yesterday (other than the collections calls where they were argumentative, I hadn't received a single word about this).
The reason I don't appear at the County Seat is because if I did so I believe I'd have my time wasted, and be direct to go to the East County Court. They might not even have me on their books or share their files.
I need the East County court to correct this situation. I sent them a letter about all this on 2/6 or 2/7, and they ignored it.
Did the USPS magically lose this letter? If so, they are government incompetents too. If not, then the court misplaced my letter, and/or failed to respond.
This isn't my first rodeo. I know how this works. However, in my stubbornness, I don't feel I should have to pay extra for Certified Registered Return Receipt Mail (payments to the Government) when I am innocent of the charges, and intend to plead not guilty and get the charges dismissed. I also don't want to have to appear in person at the East County court, as it is a great inconvenience, a significantly longer drive, and from prior experiences, a significantly slower processing line (longer lines too).
In fact, when you call the East County Court, they only have phone hours for a few hours in the morning each day. Even when you call within those time frames, I was held on-hold for almost a full hour!
They don't answer the phone, they don't answer written correspondence, they have excessive lines, they are far away, and most importantly, I do not wish VC 40502(b) to be trampled upon, broken, and disrespected. I should never have to appear at the East County Court. They should just fix their mistakes (yes, plural mistakes now).
I’ve been living with that huge hole in the wall for a month. You have no idea how good it is to see a “whole plastered wall” again.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2018 430i Gran Coupe
So much for that cowpie. My cross traffic/rear traffic sensors in my 2014 Malibu go off at the least movement in the periphery of their range. The AV should have at least had its brakes applied as it hit the warm object it sensed.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Geez, are they going to issue a warrant out for you?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If they can refine them a little more...they will be safer. Safer than the young lady behind me the other day yacking on her cell phone (heavy slow moving traffic) and talking to her passengers...and not watching what was happening in front of her.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The rear autonomous alerts and braking have saved me numerous times in the last 4 months from hitting a car coming from my lest rear or right rear as I am backing out of a parking space. Same with people walking behind me from my left or right - the people here walk a lot in the parking lots.
The problem is that the visibility in the newer cars is less than satisfactory.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Maybe they can get distracted if they see another self driver that they think looks hot.
Once, at a sales meeting in Phoenix my horse ran up a hill to see a horse it wanted to meet. I was told to pull on the reins, and I did - had the horses neck almost twisted off. The guide gave up and told me to just join the other group who were from Tupperware! :@
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
The rear autonomous alerts and braking have saved me numerous times in the last 4 months from hitting a car coming from my lest rear or right rear as I am backing out of a parking space. Same with people walking behind me from my left or right - the people here walk a lot in the parking lots.
The problem is that the visibility in the newer cars is less than satisfactory
The autonomous car...at minimum, should be able to do those things. That would be done by computers and cameras they install now. I am thinking there is something missing from what happened....or they left out an important part of the self driving system in that Volvo.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The rear autonomous alerts and braking have saved me numerous times in the last 4 months from hitting a car coming from my lest rear or right rear as I am backing out of a parking space. Same with people walking behind me from my left or right - the people here walk a lot in the parking lots.
The problem is that the visibility in the newer cars is less than satisfactory.
Wow Mike. If you have to take a bathroom break, does it assist you?
BTW, are you still planning a visit here this spring? It’s 90 degrees outside right now - this is supposed to be spring!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
My guess is they probably give you some months before putting out the all-points-bulletin warrant out for me.
I also don't want to pay my other citation fine that is coming due soon. I fear they will attribute that payment incorrectly to this new case, rather than the old settled one first. Most of my fears about the Traffic Courts come true, I'd say around 66%.
I will write the check specifically with case and citation reference numbers on it, but we all see how much attention to details the Courts give.