Daily Distraction 28/03/2022

[Old Crank]

We are still in Bruges today. A very nice town to visit and relax in.
The statue at teh end is of Simon Stevin a mathematician among
other things. His work of statics and triangulation of forces lead to
the development of calculations for construction. Previously building
was all done from experience.
He also wrote a paper on gravity that demonstrated gravity worked the same
on different masses. He was ahead of Galileo by 3 years.
He worked out the flooding of fields in front of advancing, Catholic, armies
attacking Northern Holland.









Early remodel effort.





Simon Stevin, a really smart guy

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. A wonderful bunch of photos, my dear Old Crank!

It is a beautiful little town.

Thanks so much for sharing.

[SCantiGOP]

2. note about the brick wall titled "early remodel effort"

Those are Earthquake bolts.
Most of the old houses in Charleston, SC have them as a result of the devastating 1886 earthquake. Many of the buildings shifted on their foundations or were tilted. The South was completely impoverished at the time (just 20 years after the Civil War) so no one had money for repairs or demolition and rebuilding. The bolts go through the building to stabilize it and provide some protection in case of a future earthquake.

[Old Crank]

3. I have seen lots

of those metal ties in brick old structures around here.
I was looking primarily at the snake like junction of the
two types of brick wall joined together.