Sunworshipper wrote:
On Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:13:00 -0800, Jim Stewart
wrote:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2...-japan/100022/


Metalworking... I noticed the construction under the people on the
top floor patio that looks untouched and all the derbies up a couple
of stories. What are the vertical burnt orange things, is the whole
building welded metal frame work like maybe scaffolding. Some of the
buildings moved intact and some held back enormous amount of force and
hardly look bent. Never noticed houses and roofs stay together so
well. Like one picture with a house stuck under a bridge and dented
the top just a bit. Screw and glue everything together? Wonder if some
houses are built to 'float' on their foundations and some of the polar
opposite philosophy of metal and bolted down.

Most of the newer homes are very well built and set on floating piers
due to the seismic activity in Japan.


I've been thinking of welding up a building since I saw a convenient
store in Texas. The guy welded just about any steel around and made
his own trusses. Just not sure how to transition to wood and how.
Anyhow, I don't think American houses would pile all together and
still be mostly intact.

Why can't we have cute mini vans here in America? I know where one
could get a deal on some. I just want the body. We're encouraged to
save gas , but only allowed to do so much. Those first Honda civics
and the mini are mini so what's up with the restriction?

The problem is that the average American won't fit in them. The
interiors are designed for the average Japanese person who stands 5'5"
or so tall. However some are imported here. Scion, Honda, Toyota,
Suzuki, Kia, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan all have tiny cars available to
the US market.

They do have domestic only models though that will not be exported to
other countries.



SW


--
Steve W.