due to the curvature of the Earth a really long building can't have walls that are both parallel and level. (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by linearchaos@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world

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Aparently, I've conflated Level with Plumb, the walls cannot be parallel and plumb. Due to the curve, the center of gravity for the walls would require them to angle in slightly together or not be plumb.

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[-] Reivax@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Relatedly, some long structures that seek entirely straight have different lengths depending on the altitude you measure them. For example, an oft repeated tidbit is that the Lake Ponchartrain causeway is two inches longer when measured at the deck than at water level due to the earths curvature.

this post was submitted on 05 Jul 2023

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