SCIENCE BEAT NATURE
IN FLORIDA HURRICANE
b
Research at U. S. Bureau of
Standards Helped Tall
Buildings Withstand Ter
rific Winds.
HILE thousands of dwell
ings and smaller commer
cial buildings were wreck
ed and torn asunder, by
the recent hurricane that
overwhelmed the Florida penin
sula, the great majority of tower
ing structures like that of the
Miami Daily News, rising hundreds
of feet into the air, suffered little
serious injury.
Such tall, and comparatively
slender structures, it might nat
urally be supposed, would be liable
to suffer most from the appalling
force of winds blowing with a ve
locity of over a hundred miles an
hour. That in most cases the sky
scrapers of Florida emerged with
only minor damage, is newr evi
dence of the manner in which man,
with the aid of science, is triumph
ing over the forces of nature.
At the Bureau of Standards
In the final analysis, the ability
of the skyscraper to endure the
tremendous buffets of the hurri
cane is due to the strength and de
sign of its steel frame. Research
concerning the strength of steel,
carried on by the United States
Bureau of Standards, Washington,
D. C., is largely responsible for the
good record made by Florida’s tow
ering structures of steel and stone.
In the huge wind tunnel of the
Bureau of Standards, models of
skyscrapers have been subjected
to wind pressure equivalent to a
gale with a velocity of 118 miles
an hour. The models corresponded
in shape and proportion to various
types of buildings. Seventy holes
■were bored in each wall, and forty
nine through the roof.
The models were mounted on re
volving bases, so that the effect of
•hifting winds could be simulated
by revolving them gradually
through thirteen different expo
sures. The air, forced through the
holes in walls and roof, was con
veyed by rubber tubes to recording
Instruments. These instruments
jgave an accurate
measurement of
the wind pres
sure on all five
surfaces.
Other devices
have been used
by the Bureau to
test the action of
steel building
Above—The wind tunnel at the U. S. Bureau of Standards, Wash
ington, D. CM which is used to test models of skyscrapers in order to
determine the wind pressure they are able to sustain.
Below—A light steel building member being tested for compression
in the Emery MachTne. This machine has a compression force of
2,300,000 pounds.
members under heavy loads, impact
and torsion.
A device known as the Emery
Machine has a squeezing strength
of 2,300,000 pounds, a pull of 1,500,
000 pounds, and a twisting power
of the same strength. An impact
machine is able to deliver a steady
succession of pile-driver blows. On
both of these machines instru
ments are fixed to record the effect
of the applied force.
A 10,000,000 Pound Load
The Olsen Compression Machine,
the largest of its kind in the world,
can apply a pressure of 10,000,000
pounds. Between the head and
base of the machine, the column
or girder to be tested is inserted.
When th’e hydraulic pumps are set
in motion the base begins to rise;
so slowly that the motion is imper
ceptible, but with well-nigh irre
sistible force.
To the face of the steel shape
there are attached a number of
carbon filaments, connected by
wires to electric recording devices.
Any effect the pressure may have
on the shape increases or lessens
the resistance between the contact
points on the filaments. This
change in resistance is registered
on the recorders.
Repeated tests in the wind tun
nel, and with the machines em
ployed by the Bureau, have en
abled the Bureau’s scientists to
determine with mathematical ac
curacy the effect of wind pressure
upon skyscrapers, and the exact
amount of compression, torsion, or
impact that the steel frame can
bear.
Such data has made it possible
for architects and engineers to
erect tall and graceful structures
that when properly designed, as
the Florida hurricane has shown,
are proof against the wildest con
vulsions of the elements.
FOREST FIRE AT SANTA ANNA
SANTA ANNA, Calif., Nov. 3. (Jp)—
A forest fire defied 300 fighters which
swept over six canyons, destroying
500 acres. The high wind blowing,
made it almost impossible to combat
the fire.
The Leviathan, Captain Strand, ar
rived in port yesterday with 3,00C
pounds of halibut, unloaded at the
San Juan and left again this morning
for the banks.
Picture rrammg—Schallerer’s Alas
ka Shop.
SPECIAL MERCHANTS LUNCH 50c
11:30 a. m. to 1:30 p. m.
FISHERS’ CAFE
CHARLES FISHER, Prop.
PRIVATE BOOTHS DANCE ROOM
}
LOOKING AHEAD
Alaskan progress of the past forecasts the future greatness of
the Northland, and justifies all Alaskans in holding to their firm
faith in the Territory's possibilities and worth. By aiming high and
working together—actively and steadily—those having to do with Al
askan progress can accomplish much. “Looking Ahead” to still great
er things, and planning and working accordingly, is the one way that
a high purpose can be realized.
The Alaska Railroad—a pioneer system—is gradually and pain
stakingly striding towards a great goal—the greater development of
Alaska; and that the future is bright and promising is attested by
the steady and consistent upward trend of past and present activi
ties. The Alaska Railroad is “Looking Ahead.”
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Alaska Railroad
3 (McKinley Park Route)
Anchorage Alaska
it
MORE VESSELS EQUIPPED
RADIO COMPASS OEM
NEW YORK, Nov. 3. (£>)—'The De-1
partment of the navy has just an
nounced that the Communications di
vision had sent radio compass bear- j
ings to 16 per cent more ships in the ;
j three months ended September 30 :
j than in the previous three months.
The announcement by the depart
ment follows in full:
An increase of 16 per cent of ships
served with radio compass bearings
during the three months ending Sep
tember 30 over the preceding quarter
is reported by the Communications
divisions of the Navy department. The
increase was largely due to a wider
use by merchant vessels.
An increase of approximately 17 per
cent in the number of bearings is
likewise reported. A total of 60,895
bearings were given during the past
quarter, in comparison with 51,746 in
the preceding quarter. Twenty-seven
thousand, three hundred and eighty
six ships were served during the quar
ter ending September 30, as compared
with 23,444 ships in the preceding
quarter.
Photograph albums and art corners
—Schallerer’s Alaska Shop.
CHINESE KILL CONSUL
PEKING, Nov. 3. (JP)—It is report
ed Chinese bandits killed Robert
French, consul at Lunchow, in the
southern Kwanghi province last Sun
day while he was motoring to Lang
son, 40 miles south.
Eaton, Crane and Pike Highland
Linen Stationary—Sohallerer’s Alas
ka Shop.
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For All Your Meals
Seward Trading Company
GROCERIES
Every purchase must satisfy—every
every delivery promise must be kept—
and good things always!
THE PERFECT MILK
CARNATION
Buy it by the Case
A brand new and complete line of aluminum and
granite ware—
All priced moderately.
“SUNSHINE OF THE NIGHT!”
COLEMAN LAMPS AND LANTERNS
Excellent quality SHOE PACS with crepe soles.
MAIL ORDERS SHIPPED PROMPTLY
Agents for Dupont Powder, Caps and Fuses
SEWARD TRADING CO. Inc.
Phone MAIN 135 for Courteous Service.
JOE STANTON, Mgr.
OVERLAND HOTEL
SEWARD
ALASKA
Clean
Comfortable
and
Warm Rooms
ON THE MAIN STREET
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HOTEL SEXTON
GEORGE SEXTON, Proprietor
SEWARD'S HOMEY HOTEL, WHERE THE OLDTIMERS
MEET
Fred’s Kitchen |
“Eat With Us and Avoid Indigestion” |
Chef Fred Schrenger, Prop. |
The Best the Market
Affords and Nothing
but4 the Best Served
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