Talk:Howard Log

"Effective today, I have terminated my Dedicated Project Visit due to irreconcilable differences over Hab Lab construction."

What sort of differences? This doesn't bode well..


 * The Construction Manager had designed a bricklaying pattern (and placement on the concrete supports) that was easy to follow and would avoid structural flaws that would result from bricklaying that was insufficiently overlapped. The Construction Manager's advice was ignored, resulting in numerous vertical seams between courses that were fully aligned.  With only a few (four or five) courses on the retaining wall partially laid, several bricks completely cracked through, but dire warnings about this were ignored and corrective action (rebuilding the wall properly) was refused, despite citation of masonry books that were referenced in the design phase.  The coursework is seriously structurally deficient, and given that the walls are now loadbearing (it was originally going to be just the columns, but that was changed weeks ago), that makes the entire building construction hazardously perilous.  I was essentially providing mere general labor to the construction, but I saw the Construction Manager's messages on the subject, did my best to speak up and caution about the changes, but despite numerous statements and an assurance the mis-laid bricks would be fixed, ultimately they changed their minds and refused.  I consider any further work I did toward the structurally deficient construction tantamount to contributing to a potentially criminally negligent situation that could serious injure or even kill people who would attempt to reside in the Hab Lab.
 * I refuse to contribute toward this, even if there's no real chance I would face criminal charges myself, on ethical principle. I fully intend to continue working with the Open Source Ecology mission, as a documentor most likely working offsite.  I do agree with the overall vision, but feel the Hab Lab and fabrication shop projects are being carried out in a dangerously reckless fashion at this point and feel obligated to refuse to continue further on them, so long as basic rules of structural integrity safety are actively dismissed.  --Howard V. Agnew 18:41, 28 October 2011 (CEST)

I checked the video of the wall build in progress - so basically the bricks are being laid like this, but should be laid like this?



Hopefully best practices are followed during the hablab construction, as there are vast amounts of material out there on how to do it properly. To fix this problem, maybe you could lay more courses of bricks using the alternate pattern alongside the existing wall. I'm not a structural engineer though. I just hope you guys know what you're doing. - Alex


 * As I said, I have removed myself from the project. I couldn't in good conscience contribute to this when there's a very real probability it will result in serious injury to residents when it falls down, if not manslaughter.  See also  and associated photos.
 * The only solution is to tear the wall down, throw out the bricks that are bad, and rebuild it in a safe and sound fashion, but Marcin has openly refused to even consider doing this (he was warned by myself and the Construction Manager, told it needed to be rebuild and his response has been "No" and that there is to be no further discussion). --Howard V. Agnew 17:48, 29 October 2011 (CEST)

I have to admit it's pretty concerning to hear. I think I speak for everyone, albeit crudely when I say - don't fuck it up guys, the world is watching.


 * That's been on my mind, too. I very strongly believe in the overall vision Marcin set, but I think desperation and impatience has led to recklessness in constructing a building lives could be lost if it fails.  I'm torn between trying to set behind what's behind me now, and the little voice in my head concerned with the well-being of anyone who might blindly get recruited into moving into the HabLab without being aware of its potentially catastrophic issues, not to mention the people and organizations donating a great deal of money, time and skill to what, at this point, feels very much like a runaway train.  --Howard V. Agnew 02:41, 1 November 2011 (CET)

brick pattern
i was thinking would a half basket weave pattern be good? --Dorkmo 22:55, 29 October 2011 (CEST)


 * Not sure, but the Construction Manager suggested Flemish pattern, as the way he had demonstrated it makes it much more tolerant to the unfortunately wide variations in brick width (the CEBs are fixed in two dimensions, but vary in a third by a significant amount). Right now, they aren't following any pattern at all.  Marcin wants pure header courses which are exceptionally dangerous, especially when there's no precision laying to ensure adequate overlap and avoid vertical seam alignments between consecutive courses.  --Howard V. Agnew 14:47, 30 October 2011 (CET)


 * oh cool i just googled that flemish thing and it looks sorta like what i was imagining with the basket thing.