All articles tagged with #structural integrity
In Baltimore, concrete fell from a railroad bridge onto an SUV, injuring the driver, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident occurred on North Point Road, prompting road closures and an assessment of the bridge's structural integrity. MARC and Amtrak train services are expected to be affected.
NASA and Roscosmos are at odds over the severity of ongoing leaks in the Russian segment of the International Space Station, with NASA warning of potential catastrophic failure while Roscosmos downplays the risk. The leaks, attributed to factors like micro-vibrations and mechanical stresses, have been a persistent issue, leading to disagreements over their cause and impact. Despite the concerns, some NASA officials have minimized the threat, noting that sealant applications have reduced leak rates. The situation highlights the aging infrastructure of the 24-year-old space station.
Thousands of Massachusetts homeowners are facing crumbling foundations infected with pyrrhotite, a mineral that compromises structural integrity and renders homes worthless. Homeowners insurance won't cover the issue, and banks won't provide loans, leaving affected homeowners to foot repair bills of over $250,000. State officials believe around 7,500 homes in Massachusetts could be at risk, and some are calling for financial aid similar to a trust fund set up in Connecticut to help cover the costs of new foundations.
Experts advise residents of older buildings to watch out for signs of structural degradation, including water intrusion, sagging ceilings, expanding cracks, and changes in windows and doors. They recommend reporting these issues to building owners or authorities. The recent collapse of a seven-story tenement building in New York City has highlighted the need for greater oversight and inspections of aging housing stock. The city's buildings department acknowledges the challenge of inspecting all buildings and is considering escalating fines to ensure landlords keep up with maintenance and repairs.
Following the partial collapse of a building in the Bronx, residents in the area are expressing concerns about the structural integrity of other buildings in the neighborhood. The collapse forced dozens of households to find alternative accommodations, and officials are still investigating the cause. City officials are evaluating whether residents can safely retrieve their belongings from the affected building. The Department of Buildings has found several open violations with the property, though they do not pertain to the structural integrity. The Red Cross is providing temporary housing for affected families, and efforts are being made to rescue pets still trapped inside the building.
Cedar Rapids Community School District has closed Taft Middle School's east dome as a precautionary measure after an inspection revealed a compromised structural component in one of the beams. The closure affects the cafeteria, kitchen, and performing arts classrooms. Students and staff have been evacuated, and the district is working on relocating them to other parts of the building. The inspection was not triggered by a specific event, and the engineering firm is currently working on a solution for the next steps.
The city of Omaha issued a vacate order for a property on Howard Street after finding numerous building code violations, including exposed wires, unsafe decking, plumbing hazards, signs of a rat infestation, and serious structural integrity concerns. All tenants, including those living in apartments and the Eat the Worm Bar, were evicted due to safety concerns. While no tenants are allowed to stay in the building, they will have time to collect their belongings. The owner plans to repair the building, and the owner of the bar intends to reopen in a new location.
Ten homes near the site of a massive explosion in Plum, Pennsylvania, which killed six people, will be examined by building experts to determine if they are safe to live in. The house where the explosion occurred and two neighboring houses were destroyed, while the other ten homes are currently deemed uninhabitable. The cause of the blast is still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine if there are any common factors with previous explosions in the area.
The Hogan's Fountain Pavilion, also known as the "Witch's Hat," in Louisville's Cherokee Park will be demolished this week due to serious concerns about its structural integrity. The decision comes after a year of debate and a routine inspection that revealed extensive wood rot. The Louisville Metro Government plans to build a replacement structure but has not provided a specific timeline. Public input will be sought to determine the design of the new pavilion.