BIG Accu-strut

[kkina]

This almost-completed state-of-the-art condo tower in San Francisco uses the same dampening technology as the Accu-strut. Early versions of the strut actually contained liquid, in the form of a high-tech gel (the current version is solid state). http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/29/BA6CU35IM.DTL

http://www.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2007/12/29/ba_rincon29.jpg

[stevekaw]

Somehow, I don't want to be in a building requiring huge tanks of liquid to maintain stability. I'm comfortable with the technology on my Mini, but not in objects large enough to squish me if they fail...

;)

[cbreeze]

Do you mean to tell me that there is water in that strut? Won't it rust? :)

Chuck B.

[kkina]

Do you mean to tell me that there is water in that strut? Won't it rust? :)

Chuck B.

As I mentioned, early versions contained gel (not water), the final version does not.

I only brought up the story about this building to highlight an engineering concept known as "Tuned Mass Dampening", which is utilized in the Accu-strut design.

[cbreeze]

Intersting, thank you. I hope you know that I was just kidding. All I know is that it works.

Chuck

[kkina]

Yes, I know you were just kidding, but you'd be shocked how many emails I'll get from people who didn't. ;)