Examples of the need for nondestructive and remote sensing technologies for evaluating early stages of decay are presented. The need is critical to develop methods of analyzing internal decay, at the center of large wood members, and decay behind concealing coverings. Current technologies are reviewed and their inadequacies discussed. Acoustic emission and acousto­ ultrasonics appear to hold th...

the feature of decorating curves in iranian arts, paintings, illumination, cover decorating, engraving carving sudoriferous cloth carpet and several decorations related to architecture including tile, stucco have principles and features of traditional designing. several types of figures of khatayi and ieslimi and their roles in combination and space besides having principles in proportion to gr...

decorative arts have got a special place in iranian architecture traditionally. these types of arts are the symbol of nation's ethnics and indigenous features and also express the artist's feelings of those times. stucco is one type of the decorative arts that has decorated many buildings -especially palaces-that belong to the pre-islamic period and also mosques that built in the isla...

A new approach for climbing hard vertical surfaces has been developed that allows a robot to scale concrete, stucco, brick and masonry walls without using suction or adhesives. The approach is inspired by the mechanisms observed in some climbing insects and spiders and involves arrays of microspines that catch on surface asperities. The arrays are located on the toes of the robot and consist of...

Choosing the finish covering for the exterior walls of a home is an important decision. The choice of siding has a direct influence on appearance, performance, durability, repair, maintenance, and cost. Today’s marketplace presents designers, builders, and homeowners with a long list of materials and products tochoose from. Ithasbeenestimated inat least one investigation that the existing varie...

Two ancient asbestos mines, one near Karystos, Greece, and the other southeast of Mount Troodos, Cyprus, were located in what we now know to be ophiolite terrane. Evidence suggests that asbestos was discovered and utilized in Cyprus, perhaps as long as 5,000 years ago, for manufacture of cremation cloths, lamp wicks, hats, and shoes. Some of the adverse health effects of asbestos became known o...

For a little over seven years, my husband and I have lived in Downtown Huntington Beach, our house being a pastel yellow with white trim 1922 cottage-style house—complete with white picket fence. While there are still numerous other " historical " homes in our area, in many cases dating from the years marking the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad, many more have given way to new tow...