Extreme Engineering! Drought Proofing Australia!

This video from Extreme Enginering gives a great insight into the Engineering industry in Australia. In this episode the team are exploring Drought proofing in Australia!

Commercial Design and Noise Insulation

When art and function come together commercial design becomes a beautiful thing. Soon to be trialled in South East Queensland is a project that does just that. Black Canvas Acoustic Design and Art Gallery have intentions to create noise absorbing acoustic stretched canvas panels which local emerging artists can produce work on.

The project is a collaboration between Daniel Pye, an audio engineer and project manager, and Talulah Jung, an arts worker and curator. The project not only gives artists a sustainable platform for their work but could filter to other commercial design environments with its practical applications. From loud bars to cafes, and restaurants, or lobbies, function rooms, and offices, there are many places that could gain from some sound insulation.

Concrete in the Construction Industry!

Concrete is used pervasively throughout construction these days. Its life expectancy and durability play critical roles in the sustainability of land development design. Certain locations, such as Australia, are particularly affected by environmental conditions that other locations do not have to consider. Blazing heat and coastal winds are amongst the conditions that substantially affect materials such as concrete. Both longevity and quality can be affected by the environment.

In Australia particularly there is a coastal chloride environment which accelerates the deterioration of concrete. The extreme temperatures there can also cause problems with the curing process as well as increase cracking. High salinity of certain soils in some highly populated areas such as Adelaide are also an influence. Problems are not just limited to environmental influence; the limited availability of aggregates that are both consistent and of good quality can result in a reduced quality of concrete being used in land development design. This means that that reduced quality concrete is being used to begin with. This will of course affect the regularity of the eventual need for upkeep.