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So you want to build a tunnel

practical.engineering

51–60 of 119 posts

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#51

I can’t wait till world models are good enough that you can ask robots to work autonomously to geo transform spaces.

You more or less can if you can afford the robots. Technically you need a dozen people or so to run the machines, but if you can afford the machine and costs to run it the costs of the people isn't going to phase you.

Now if the robots were affordable to someone on a minimum wage income that would be a big deal.

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a network of tunnels and sensors is easier to defend than a open space exposed position where drones can see you from miles away, I guess that makes tunnels better for defense

Given that we have bunker busters that will travel beyond the horizon at hypersonic speeds and bust 200 feet of reinforced concrete... I don't think any fixed installation is particularly easy to defend? Also, I'll grant that a drone can see you from miles away, but don't you think any one of a large and growing number of satellites can spot your massive earthworks from tens and hundreds of miles away for the months…

Given that we have nuclear weapons why bother making anything?

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#53
post #2

When my wife was diagnosed with cancer and eventually went into remission, I didn’t really process what was happening at first. I was completely focused on getting her through it. The grief hit me later. What helped me more than anything was going out into the garden and digging. I made sure to do it safely, since I know it can be risky, so I dug wide and with wooden supports, but there was something about just diggi…

How much did you excavate?

I dug a hole that was about 3 meters deep and around 9 meters wide at the surface (I had to keep a gentle slope and cut wide terraces so the walls wouldn't cave in).

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#54
post #44
post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Makes me think the noble houses of Westeros should have dug tunnels to foil the Targaryen dragon advantage.

they did - that's why dorne was never conquered

Little known fact, dragonglass is an excellent semiconductor

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#55
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes you think a tunnel would be safe? Just need to re-purpose this little guy: https://blog.sintef.com/digital-en/inachus-project-robot-sea...

the operator of those would get hit by an aerial drone from one of the other tunnel exits

[deleted]

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#57
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It was more sprawling than deep. It was a series of trenches connecting "rooms". I know they also had "water features" at some points, but the water would soak into the ground pretty quickly then be a mess for a few days, so they didn't do that. No collapses happened and everyone is still alive. :-)

Happy that all's well that ends well, but for any parents considering this, trench collapses have killed hundreds of workers in just the past decade. Anything deeper than a couple feet might be a hazard that needs to be mitigated.

Also depends on the local geology and how tenacious the kids are. I couldn't dig to dangerous depths as a kid even if I wanted to because the soil got way too rocky to dig through before 3 feet down.

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#58
post #2

When my wife was diagnosed with cancer and eventually went into remission, I didn’t really process what was happening at first. I was completely focused on getting her through it. The grief hit me later. What helped me more than anything was going out into the garden and digging. I made sure to do it safely, since I know it can be risky, so I dug wide and with wooden supports, but there was something about just diggi…

Best digging I ever did was in a torrential downpour for 4 hours. Mud and grass was flying everywhere, my shoes were squeaking as they drove down the shovel. I was soaked to the bone and my heavy, cotton clothes slapped freely against my skin with each shovel full I tossed to the side. That was some of my favorite digging ever.

Re: So you want to build a tunnel

#59

I can’t wait till world models are good enough that you can ask robots to work autonomously to geo transform spaces.

Claude, please destroy nature.

Claude, please acquire the seedlings and reforest these 100 acres with the right native plants. Follow up for 3 years to ensure atleast an 80% survival rate. Ensure 20% are commercially viable hardwoods to pay for your operational costs.
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