While most of us have probably never heard the words "alignment technology," our lives are much safer because of this type of technology. Without proper alignment, everything from bridges to homes could incur possible catastrophic failure, but correct alignment is also highly important for industrial production.
Not only do engineers use alignment technology to design and build safe bridges, dams and roads, this technology also is used to monitor the aging process of these items, as a structural failure easily could result in a catastrophe. Engineers periodically are called out to check dams for bulges and distortions and to check older bridges for warping and structural failures.
There are many examples in recent history that underscore the necessity of proper engineering during construction as well as the need to continuously monitor structures after construction. For example, when a section of the I-35 bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed outside of Minneapolis, 13 individuals lost their lives and more than 140 were injured. Had engineers checked the bridge with alignment instruments such as a hand held level as well as level sensors, they might have seen evidence of shifting as well as detecting vibrations.
In addition to structures such as bridges and dams, buildings must be carefully built and aligned in order to provide proper structural integrity. Engineers must take into consideration the effect of wind on skyscrapers and for all structures in seismically active areas; structures must be built or retrofitted to be able to withstand strong earthquakes without collapsing. After construction, engineers must monitor the sway of buildings to determine if structural improvements need to be made. This is extremely important for older buildings, but even new structures can have flaws and need careful monitoring.
Aside from the many types of levels used by engineers, there are other important devices that check for structural integrity. For example, an engineer might use an inclinometer to measure how the slope of an object has changed. An inclinometer measures the exact angles of slope, as well as the elevation of an object or the depression of the object. If walls and floors have shifted, this could pose a serious problem and an engineer can use an inclinometer to make these precise sorts of calculations.
Properly alignment also is necessary for industrial use, such as the building of vehicles. If there are alignment and calibration flaws, this can pose a risk of mechanical failure or even injury and death to the driver and passengers. Airplanes, boats and all military craft contain many elements that must be perfectly calibrated from the body of crafts to the instruments such as sonar and radar.
Not only do engineers use alignment technology to design and build safe bridges, dams and roads, this technology also is used to monitor the aging process of these items, as a structural failure easily could result in a catastrophe. Engineers periodically are called out to check dams for bulges and distortions and to check older bridges for warping and structural failures.
There are many examples in recent history that underscore the necessity of proper engineering during construction as well as the need to continuously monitor structures after construction. For example, when a section of the I-35 bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed outside of Minneapolis, 13 individuals lost their lives and more than 140 were injured. Had engineers checked the bridge with alignment instruments such as a hand held level as well as level sensors, they might have seen evidence of shifting as well as detecting vibrations.
In addition to structures such as bridges and dams, buildings must be carefully built and aligned in order to provide proper structural integrity. Engineers must take into consideration the effect of wind on skyscrapers and for all structures in seismically active areas; structures must be built or retrofitted to be able to withstand strong earthquakes without collapsing. After construction, engineers must monitor the sway of buildings to determine if structural improvements need to be made. This is extremely important for older buildings, but even new structures can have flaws and need careful monitoring.
Aside from the many types of levels used by engineers, there are other important devices that check for structural integrity. For example, an engineer might use an inclinometer to measure how the slope of an object has changed. An inclinometer measures the exact angles of slope, as well as the elevation of an object or the depression of the object. If walls and floors have shifted, this could pose a serious problem and an engineer can use an inclinometer to make these precise sorts of calculations.
Properly alignment also is necessary for industrial use, such as the building of vehicles. If there are alignment and calibration flaws, this can pose a risk of mechanical failure or even injury and death to the driver and passengers. Airplanes, boats and all military craft contain many elements that must be perfectly calibrated from the body of crafts to the instruments such as sonar and radar.
About the Author:
Carey Bourdier enjoys blogging reviews on precision scientific instruments. To find an alignment instrument, or to discover other surveying instruments like a propeller protractor, please go to the WarrenKnight.com site now.
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