Minneapolis Mud Slide

[oldestguy]

Here is a link to a local news paper article. On TV I heard "engineers say no problem since building is founded on rock". Ya?? Looks like it might be a problem shifting things to the river.

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/263922941.html

 

[concretemasonry]

oldestguy -

The geology in the area is somewhat unique. The area is underlain with layers of solid limestone(10-??' thick), sandstone and some thin shale (Decorah shale, I think). The site is overlooking the Mississippi River (may have been called the Warren river much earlier) with very high steep banks (cliffs) that was carved out many centuries ago. It is generally overlain with 6 to 15' of sand, gravel and top soil.

The material that slid looks like the accumulated local soil and vegetation that did get a chance to accumulate during centuries of growth after the river carved out the channel and fishing for smallmouth bass is very good. The area of the Mississippi is like a wilderness from the river with the trees on the very narrow later river deposits and no appearance of any development, contrary to what is found 10 miles downstream.

There are many major structures build along the river. The University of Minnesota (35,000 students on that campus)is on the opposite shore and slightly upstream with some buildings on the west bank. It is unique because the campus bears on the solid rock. Almost all buildings are connected with tunnel for students,and utility lines (power and central heat) that connect most buildings and underground lots. All of the exterior openings toward the river have been closed in the past century.

I do think there will be a number of through studies of the building and the site for future reference.

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[oldestguy]

For those interested here are some videos.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/stor...nd-gives-way-near-fairview-riverside-hospital