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The state of the economy at the street level

Not trolling, how can cement ''go off'', genuinely curious.
It has to be on site and poured within a certain time frame. They do slump tests (sometimes).
Often you can get dozens of cement trucks lined up in the heat that were previously stuck in traffic. Once they go past a certain time they get sent back.
Segregation can occur if its too dry/wet.
Or it dries out and the cohesiveness is affected. Even the height that you let it drop from the truck/pump can affect the strength.
Badly cured concrete is another problem.
 
It has to be on site and poured within a certain time frame. They do slump tests (sometimes).
Often you can get dozens of cement trucks lined up in the heat that were previously stuck in traffic. Once they go past a certain time they get sent back.
Segregation can occur if its too dry/wet.
Or it dries out and the cohesiveness is affected. Even the height that you let it drop from the truck/pump can affect the strength.
Badly cured concrete is another problem.

I heard that they also layer/load the slabs on too soon after pouring.

Concrete wouldn't cured, or strengthened enough in a day or two right? To pour slab after slab on top when those bearing concrete precast walls or columns aren't cured is just asking for it.

Spoke to a concretor few months ago... he said the shite he saw man. Saying some 3 storey buildings slabs are so under engineered he just shake his head... alright, as long as your guy said it's alright and I'm getting paid to pour this ****.
 
I heard that they also layer/load the slabs on too soon after pouring.

Concrete wouldn't cured, or strengthened enough in a day or two right? To pour slab after slab on top when those bearing concrete precast walls or columns aren't cured is just asking for it.

Spoke to a concretor few months ago... he said the shite he saw man. Saying some 3 storey buildings slabs are so under engineered he just shake his head... alright, as long as your guy said it's alright and I'm getting paid to pour this ****.
Not just rushed concrete. Undersized beams, timbers, cutting holes in waterproofing. I'm seeing an insane amount of defects. I've also pretty much retired, but contacts ring me now and then to look at problems. So tip of the iceberg stuff.

I recently saw a flat roof made out of the flooring yellow tongue, with silicone membrane painted over it. Had a good laugh.
 
Not just rushed concrete. Undersized beams, timbers, cutting holes in waterproofing. I'm seeing an insane amount of defects. I've also pretty much retired, but contacts ring me now and then to look at problems. So tip of the iceberg stuff.

I recently saw a flat roof made out of the flooring yellow tongue, with silicone membrane painted over it. Had a good laugh.
I saw the tilers, pull the tiles off the nib wall in a shower recess three times, before they got it acceptable.
 
Not just rushed concrete. Undersized beams, timbers, cutting holes in waterproofing. I'm seeing an insane amount of defects. I've also pretty much retired, but contacts ring me now and then to look at problems. So tip of the iceberg stuff.

I recently saw a flat roof made out of the flooring yellow tongue, with silicone membrane painted over it. Had a good laugh.

Maybe it's the red tongue... 3mm thicker :D

Plenty of 50+ year old flats still standing. A bit run down but no signs of cracks. Doesn't look like the new flats would last 20 years without major repair.

My brother just moved in to his new $650K apartment in a fairly nice suburb.

1 bedroom, maybe 70m2. Cheap floating floor board. Balcony railing/fence didn't even get bolted to the side wall. Any kid there and it's just asking to fall over.

My sister in law moved in another apartment some years ago. Have to stay at a hotel for a week so they can fix some leaking issue between the bathrooms.
 
Well this is a bit of an eye opener.

Hope these dodgy tradies keep well away from anything involving high voltage electricity.

Keep them away from dams too. Another place where shoddy concrete has the potential to end seriously badly.
 
Well this is a bit of an eye opener.

Hope these dodgy tradies keep well away from anything involving high voltage electricity.

Keep them away from dams too. Another place where shoddy concrete has the potential to end seriously badly.
As an engineer who has some co students managing nuclear power plants in France, i was surprised to discover how few things i am allowed to do in this country.building a new house i had to reconnect a 2 way switch as the licensed electrician could not even get that working
I learnt that in year 9 as part of basic cursus, then i discovered that most of the earth cables were not connected. that sadly started and then cemented my view of tradies in australia
Many just jokers which is bad for the good ones around.
It is very difficult in Brisbane at least to find competent tradies from tilers to plumbers and electricians
Only with word of mouths
If we require licensing and prevent diy jobs, we should also ensure these licenses are not worthless
 
A lot of the problems IMO, arose when they changed trade training from common curriculum, to competency based training modules. Sounds great in theory, but dumbs down in practice, another system from overseas sold to some dumb arsed bureaucrat.
 
A lot of the problems IMO, arose when they changed trade training from common curriculum, to competency based training modules. Sounds great in theory, but dumbs down in practice, another system from overseas sold to some dumb arsed bureaucrat.
Another problem I think is that for the past ~25 years there has been a relentless push that everyone ought to go to uni straight out of school.

End result is we've got people studying degrees they have no real interest in and the trades are seen as a second rate option.

When it comes to work I've always held the view that doing what you enjoy and are passionate about is the best path. Do it well enough and the money will follow. Same goes for your approach to investing - there's no point trying to master something you have no real interest in or aptitude for if there's another method that works and makes perfect sense to you. :2twocents
 
Another problem I think is that for the past ~25 years there has been a relentless push that everyone ought to go to uni straight out of school.

End result is we've got people studying degrees they have no real interest in and the trades are seen as a second rate option.
Absolutely Smurph.
There was an article in last weekends West Australian newspaper, it was about the constant downward standard of university entrance, and students avoiding ATAR subjects to circumvent entrance requirements.
Well a Professor who looked into it said, "some students maybe shouldn't be doing year 11 & 12".
Well I nearly wet myself, another political stuff up, force kids to go on regardless.lol
Now we have 50% of kids going to uni, doing stupid courses for non existing jobs, while we import workers on 457 visa's.
The clever Country, I think not.:roflmao:

Found the article:
https://thewest.com.au/news/educati...ut-still-getting-to-university-ng-b881066817z

All senior high school and Uni's are becoming, is day care for adults.IMO
 
As an engineer I have found that there are two types of electricians, the ones that treat their craft as a profession who upskill and develop a pretty good understanding of electricity, switchboard and electrical standards. These are the top guys.

The second lot just wire plugs etc. as little more than a task and lose any real understanding of what they are doing. They need to work under a good electrician or sooner or later they will stuff up.

I think this is true for engineers also.
 
For some good news:
https://www.commercialrealestate.co...self-sufficient-in-engineered-timber-by-2020/
I am too pessimistic so very happy to posts these when i can
I'm with you, so maybe we should post a few of the brighter stories.

https://thewest.com.au/business/min...ithium-game-changer-in-kwinana-ng-b881076970z
The first bit of heavy industry, to be built on the Kwinana strip, for a long time.
Hopefully it is followed with a push to manufacture batteries here.
 
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