Title text:
Wind stress? Don’t be silly. When has wind stress ever been a problem for a suspension bridge?
Transcript:
Transcript will show once it’s been added to explainxkcd.com
Source: https://xkcd.com/3279/
Proof engineers want us to have fun, but silly government won’t let them
Ah yes the ol’ Tacoma wibbly wobbly
I heard that’s going to be the next episode of WTYPP
Looks like Randall has been playing some Poly Bridge.
So to keep the balloon filled and maintained, I’m thinking we get a low paid part-time worker. They’ll have to be on call for emergency needs of course so open availability.
And to make sure they do the job right, perchance an underfunded, understaffed regulation and inspection system?
we might as well fire the regulatory committee, we haven’t had issues with collapsing bridges in 50 years!
You got upper management written all over you, thank you for your shareholder value generation talents.
Why not get a worker from a country so poor that they’ll do anything to avoid being sent back, even let you exploit them illegally?
We’re running low on helium, hydrogen ok with you?
We have stakeholders that could help produce a stronger synergy so NatGas on some at least. Can we mix them?
Actually, yes. I think we should be looking more at using hydrogen as a lifting gas, helium is too precious to squander on balloons. Its flammability can be mitigated in a variety of ways, Hindenburg was badly designed as a hydrogen airship (it was originally meant to use helium).
Its flammability can be mitigated in a variety of ways
That sounds interesting to me, what are those ways?
We could mix it with oxygen, which is plentiful, at a ratio of around 4:1.
It makes the hydrogen self heating, giving the balloon increased lift.
Well, briefly.
I’m surprised they didn’t do the math for a geosynchronous orbital support
Just build the bridge on the moon instead. The lower gravity really helps with the main span.
Just tether the middle to the moon instead of the balloon.
Good ol’ geostationary moon.
Give it a few eons.
I don’t even want to give any of this until Monday.
When has wind stress ever been a problem for a suspension bridge?
On the next WTYP!
Oh the humanity!
