Bosco Verticale

Background History

Over 3 million deaths every year are linked to the growing problem of air population. Short-term effects of air pollution include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions. Long-term effects include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Seeing the negative impact of air population of his city in Milan, Italian architect Stefano Boeri was determined to find a solution to this problem by building towers surrounded by plants.

How It Works

The 500 medium and large trees, 300 small trees, 5,000 shrubs, and 11,000 other plants combine to convert 44,000 pounds of carbon dioxide to oxygen. The plants also assist in lowering temperature, filtering fine dust particles, and lowering noise pollution. 

Impacts On Society

Pros

• Reduces air pollution
• Reduces noise pollution
• Filters fine dust particles
• Takes up less than a typical greenspace

Cons

• Costly
• Difficult to maintain

Future Outlook

After Stefano Boeri build the first two towers in Milan, he has been summoned across the world for numerous more designs. It is very likely that these designs become popular among other architects as well during a time when pollution is a large concern.

Works Cited

“The Incredible Vertical Forest Residential Towers in Milan, Italy.” TwistedSifter, 4 July 2016, twistedsifter.com/2016/06/vertical-forest-residential-towers-in-milan-by-boeri-studio/.

“What Are the Effects of Air Pollution?” Effects of Air Pollution on Humans, Plants and Animals, 2017, eschooltoday.com/pollution/air-pollution/effects-of-air-pollution.html.

Xie, Jenny. “High-Rise Forests in Italy Are Fighting Air Pollution.” The Verge, The Verge, 9 Aug. 2017, www.theverge.com/2017/8/9/16112758/milan-vertical-forest-stefano-boeri-video.

Multimedia

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/milan-italy-may-bosco-verticale-vertical-forest-l-low-view-designed-stefano-boeri-sustainable-architecture-porta-nuova-93390826.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UQI3rBwIjQ

http://www.floornature.com/media/photos/1/13260/02_balcon-sur-paris_stefanoboeri-architetti_la-foret-blanche_home_sez.jpg

 

World's Largest Crane

Background History

After World War II Germany was in a state of disaster. The war had torn apart their country's infrastructure, and years and years of rebuilding was yet to come. Hans Liebherr founded Hans Liebherr Maschinenfabrik (engineering works) in an effort to help rebuilt the country he loved. Making everything from refrigerators to hydraulic excavators Liebherr has a wide variety of products. After finding a hole in the market for high-quality cranes, Liebherr decided to fill the gap. The Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 is the tallest crane in the world, as well as having the greatest max load capacity.

How It Works

This 9-axle, 8-cylinder monster has the capability to lift 1,200 tons. It also has the longest telescopic boom in the world, which extends fully to 100 meters.

Max. load capacity 1,200 t

at radius 2.50 m

Telescopic boom from 18.30 m

Telescopic boom up to 100.00 m

Lattice jib from 6.5 m

Lattice jib up to 126.0 m

Drive engine/make Liebherr

Drive engine 8-Cylinder-Diesel

Drive engine/power 500 kW

Number of axles 9

Crane engine/make Liebherr

Crane engine 6-Cylinder-Diesel

Crane engine/power 270 kW

Drive/Steering standard 18 x 8 x 18

Driving speed 75.00 km/h

Total ballast 202.00 t

Impacts It Has On Society

Pros

• Can lift up to 1,200 tons
• Telescopic boom extends to 100 meters

Cons

• Costs around $5 million
• Too big for some confined jobs, like in a city

Multimedia

https://www.liebherr.com/en/rou/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-cranes/ltm-mobile-cranes/details/ltm1120091.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGm69ElXIs8

Works Cited

Abrams, Avi. “The World's Most Powerful Mobile Crane.” Dark Roasted Blend, www.darkroastedblend.com/2011/04/worlds-most-powerful-mobile-crane.html.

Bros, Ritchie. “Blog.” Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, 7 Jan. 2013, www.rbauction.com/blog/five-of-the-world-s-largest-cranes-.

“LTM 11200-9.1.” LTM 11200-9.1 Mobile Crane - Liebherr, 2018, www.liebherr.com/en/rou/products/mobile-and-crawler-cranes/mobile-cranes/ltm-mobile-cranes/details/ltm1120091.html.

Three Gorges Dam

Background History

As a nation always hungry for power, China has looked for energy sources for decades. Hydroelectric power has risen in popularity compared to other renewable energy solutions. Many Chineese officals pushed for the creation of a large dam as a power source and a flood controller. Although many engineers criticized the idea as did environmentalists, the dam construction began in 1994. The construction faced many delays but was finally finished in 2012. Since then many foreign officals have publicly criticized the negative impacts of the dam until in 2011 when China publicy admited faults in its $40+ billion project.

How It Works

The dam captures the kinetic energy of falling water and mechanical energy by turning turbines. The energy in the turbines is then transferred into electrical energy. The Three Gorges Dam also has gates that can let water in and out, which is used to control flooding downstream. Although the Three Gorges Dam is set up like a normal dam, its impacts are far from it.

Impacts It Has On Society

Pros

• Provides 22,500 megawatts of electricity (8 times more than the Hoover Dam)

Cons

• Causes earth quakes, landslides, and wide-spread flooding
• Displaced over 1.4 million people
• Destroyed countless ancient artifacts and precious landscapes
• Helps to spread waterborne pathogens
• Hurts anti-pollution efforts

Works Cited

“How Hydropower Works.” Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company , 2018, www.wvic.com/content/how_hydropower_works.cfm.

Hvistendahl, Mara. “China's Three Gorges Dam: An Environmental Catastrophe?” Scientific American, NATURE AMERICA, INC., 25 Mar. 2008, www.scientificamerican.com/article/chinas-three-gorges-dam-disaster/.

“Three Gorges Dam.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Jan. 2018, www.britannica.com/topic/Three-Gorges-Dam.

Wines, Michael. “China Admits Problems With Three Gorges Dam.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 May 2011, www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/world/asia/20gorges.html.

Multimedia

https://static01.nyt.com/images/2011/05/20/world/20gorges_337_span/20gorges-jumbo.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtgOntg0ofc

https://chinadigitaltimes.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/42b39c5503fc6db8c2ec728ecd6a901b_640_480.jpg

https://d2gne97vdumgn3.cloudfront.net/api/file/tI9vHHvAQTu3aGIq7bkV