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Vogt Engineering Highlights International Rock Day

July 13, 2021

From bedrock to coal to shale and limestone, rocks are all around us and are used in our daily lives to provide comfort and convenience. International Rock Day, celebrated on July 13th, celebrates one of the oldest materials known to man. Rocks have been used as tools and have been essential to our human civilization and survival since the dawn of man.


Have you noticed throughout your day you encounter rocks virtually everywhere you look? The water filter in your refrigerator uses rocks. The salt used to season our food started out as a giant rock. Rocks are polished and cut to make jewelry and art. They are ground and mixed with other products to create the drywall that covers your walls. They are used in their natural state for landscaping - for function and for aesthetics. Rocks, specifically coal, are used for power generation. There are endless ways that rocks impact our lives.

 

Almost all types of building materials used for paving roads, floors/foundations or various other structures including bridges come from rocks. Civil Engineers can use rocks to prevent erosion, provide support, and stabilize slopes. Some specific uses of rocks in engineering designs include riprap, gabions, retaining walls, and berms.

 

Riprap consists of a layer of very large stones interlocked together and acts to stabilize and protect the surface against erosion and scour in areas of concentrated flow such as a shoreline. Gabions combine rocks with metal cages and can serve as a strong system that will slow the velocity of the water to resist heavy water flow. Because of the many ways to design the metal boxes and cost efficiency, gabions can be found anywhere from your backyard landscaping to military bases. Berms are used to separate two areas to enhance drainage and are usually constructed with gravel and compacted soil or fill dirt.

 

Rocks are a universal material used by architects, contractors, and engineers alike. With so many varieties of rock, understanding the properties of different types of stone as well as the sizing for each application is of utmost importance. Engineers and other design professionals choose what material will be used in their design to enhance the performance and functionality of each structure based on public safety, associated costs, conditions, design loads, and its intended use. 

Vogt Engineering Celebrates National Bike Month

By Tiffany Marascio • May 17, 2024
May is National Bike Month, but Vogt Engineering celebrates and encourages biking all year. Our team enjoys using our office bikes to get out and experience nature, taking advantage of our central location in The Woodlands Town Center. About National Bike Month National Bike Month, after many previous iterations, was officially established in 1956. Today, National Bike Month is sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists , which incorporates accessible ways to start biking by hosting smaller experiences such as National Bike to Work Week (usually held the third week of May), and Bike to Work Day (usually that Friday). Health Benefits According to the Harvard School of Public Health , biking can help “improve mental health by lowering stress levels and stimulating feel-good endorphins.” Other health benefits include: improved cardiovascular fitness stronger muscles greater coordination and general mobility reduced body fat Vogt's Commitment to our Team and the Environment One of Vogt Engineering’s major considerations when looking for an office was easily accessible trails for riding bikes and walking. We are fortunate to have found a great place to be with our great team of people. Not only is biking and being outdoors good for mental and physical health, but we value working with the environment in everything we do. Although many civil engineering projects require earth movement, Vogt is committed to finding solutions that complement the natural surroundings of the site. Get Involved There are many local entities that organize Bike Month events, including The Woodlands, Harris County Precinct 3 (at Burroughs Park), and more.

Vogt Engineering Supports Pride Month

June 23, 2023
When hate is loud, love should be louder

Safety Saturday: Forklift Safety

June 8, 2023
The industrial truck manufacturing sector has been an important and active part of the American economy for 100 years. Texas is a state where industrial truck firms have generated one of the highest economic impacts, nearly $2.7 Billion. We can continue to be safe and free from injury by following these tips and by encouraging workers to stay abreast of forklift operator training.
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