#Structural engineering in texas

[wnliaywood]

How Expert Structural Engineering in Texas Can Solve Your Foundation Challenges?

When living in Texas, one thing you might notice is how the soil can cause problems for buildings. The state has unique soil that expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This constant movement can lead to cracks and shifts in a home’s foundation, making it less stable over time.

According to Nortex Structural, hiring a structural engineer in Texas usually costs $300–$500 for basic inspections or consultations. For bigger projects, like designing a building or detailed plans for renovations, costs can range from $2,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the project's size and complexity.

Studies show that Texas homeowners spend millions annually on foundation repairs due to these soil issues​. If you’re wondering how structural engineers in Texas can help, this article will explain the solutions they offer to fix and prevent foundation problems.

Why Do Foundations in Texas Face Problems?

Firstly, Texas has clay-rich soil that expands and contracts based on moisture levels. During rainy seasons, the soil swells, putting pressure on foundations. As the soil dries, it contracts, creating empty spaces beneath structures. This can cause floors to sink or walls to crack. Structural engineers understand these challenges well.

Secondly, Texas experiences temperature extremes. Hot summers followed by cool winters cause the soil to move even more. This constant shift makes foundations weaker, especially if they weren’t built to handle these changes.

Lastly, poor drainage and tree roots searching for water can worsen the situation. Water pooling around your home or roots pushing against the foundation can lead to severe damage over time​.

How Structural Engineers in Texas Fix These Issues?

Structural engineers in Texas specialize in solving foundation challenges. Here’s how they can help:

Inspections to Find the Problem

Engineers start by inspecting your foundation.They check for signs like cracks in walls, slanted floors, and spaces around windows and doors. This helps them understand the root cause of the issue.

Using Steel Piers

To fix sinking foundations, engineers use steel piers. These are long rods inserted deep into the ground to support your home. These methods provide support to the foundation, keeping it steady and stopping it from sinking further.

Injecting Material for Support

Another method is slab jacking, where engineers inject materials under the foundation to lift it back into place. This technique works well for smaller issues and is cost-effective.

 Improving Drainage

Engineers also focus on preventing future problems by improving drainage around your home. They might recommend regrading your yard or installing special systems to direct water away from the foundation​.

Reinforcing Walls

If your foundation walls are cracked or bowing, engineers can reinforce them using advanced techniques like carbon fiber straps or wall anchors. These provide long-term stability.

How Can You Protect Your Foundation?

You can take steps to avoid foundation issues. For example:

Maintain good drainage by regularly clearing gutters and downspouts.

Plant large trees away from your home to avoid potential foundation issues.

Monitor cracks in walls and floors and call a professional if they worsen.

These simple measures can prevent costly repairs in the future.

Conclusion: The Role of Professionals

Structural engineers play a vital role in keeping homes safe in Texas. They understand the unique challenges posed by the state’s soil and weather. With their expertise, they not only fix existing problems but also help prevent new ones. Talk to the professionals when you have structural issues.

For reliable foundation repair in Texas, visit Foundation Doctor, Inc./Osborne Engineering. Our expertise lies in identifying and fixing foundation issues to keep your home secure and steady for the long term. 

Website : https://foundationdoctor.com/ 

Email : garyosbornepe@gmail.com

Phone : +1-9723188800

Address : Lewisville, TX 75077

Gmb Url : https://maps.app.goo.gl/FnhYSWMAw47cTFEb7 

[achievementthunter]

Exterior in Austin An illustration of a two-story, beige stone exterior home design with a tile roof.

[resdraft]

Role of Structural Engineering in Drafting

Integrating structural engineering into the drafting process ensures that designs are visually appealing, safe, and durable. It also enhances the structure's stability, addressing factors like load distribution and material integrity and environmental factors like wind, soil, and seismic stability.

[universaleng05]

The Role of Texas Structural Engineers and Home Inspectors in Wellington, FL

Structural integrity and safety are paramount when it comes to residential properties. Whether in Texas or Wellington, FL, having access to reliable structural engineers and home inspectors is crucial for homeowners, buyers, and sellers alike.

Texas Structural Engineers: Safeguarding Structural Integrity

In Texas, structural engineers are responsible for ensuring that buildings, whether residential or commercial, are designed and constructed to meet stringent safety standards. Texas is known for its diverse weather conditions, including intense heat, heavy rainfall, and occasional hurricanes. These factors make it essential for structures to be robust and resilient.

A Texas structural engineer plays a crucial role in the design and analysis of building frameworks, foundations, and load-bearing elements. They ensure that the materials used in construction are suitable for the specific environmental conditions and that the structure can withstand various stresses, such as wind loads and soil movements. Structural engineers also conduct assessments of existing buildings, identifying any weaknesses or potential failures that could compromise the building's safety.

For homeowners, consulting a Texas structural engineer can be particularly beneficial when planning renovations, additions, or even when assessing the condition of an older home. Their expertise helps ensure that any modifications or repairs are done safely and in compliance with local building codes, thereby protecting the value and safety of the property.

Home Inspectors in Wellington, FL: Ensuring Safe and Sound Homes

In Wellington, FL, home inspectors provide a different but equally important service. When buying or selling a home, a thorough inspection is critical to identify any issues that could affect the safety, functionality, or value of the property. Home inspectors in Wellington, FL, conduct comprehensive evaluations of a property's condition, covering everything from the roof to the foundation.

A typical home inspection includes assessments of the structural components, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, and more. Inspectors look for signs of damage, wear and tear, and potential safety hazards. For buyers, a home inspection report is a valuable tool that provides a clear understanding of the property's condition, helping them make informed decisions. For sellers, an inspection can identify issues that may need to be addressed before listing the property, potentially increasing its market value and attractiveness to buyers.

Home inspectors in Wellington, FL, are particularly attuned to the unique challenges posed by Florida's climate, such as humidity, heavy rainfall, and the threat of hurricanes. Their expertise ensures that homes are not only safe but also well-equipped to withstand the local environmental conditions.

Conclusion

Both Texas structural engineers and home inspectors in Wellington, FL, are essential professionals in the real estate industry. They provide critical services that ensure the safety, durability, and value of residential properties. Whether you're building a new home in Texas or buying a house in Wellington, FL, relying on these experts is key to making sound investments and protecting your property.

[arrisltd]

The Benefits of Joining the Texas Green Building Council

The Texas Green Building Council (TXGBC) is an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices in the state of Texas. By joining the council, individuals and businesses can gain access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities that can help them contribute to a greener future. In this article, we will explore the various advantages of joining the Texas Green Building Council and how it can positively impact your professional and personal endeavors.

1. Networking Opportunities

One of the key benefits of joining the Texas Green Building Council is the opportunity to connect and network with like-minded individuals in the industry. As a member, you gain access to a vast network of professionals, including architects, builders, contractors, and sustainability experts. This opens doors to potential collaborations, partnerships, and mentorship opportunities that can greatly enhance your career growth.

2. Knowledge Exchange

The Texas Green Building Council offers a plethora of educational resources and events aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and professional development. By participating in workshops, seminars, and conferences organized by the council, members can stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in sustainable construction and design. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions and implement environmentally conscious solutions in their projects.

3. Recognition and Credibility

Membership in the Texas Green Building Council comes with a seal of recognition and credibility. By aligning yourself with an esteemed organization that prioritizes sustainable building practices, you distinguish yourself as a leader in the field. This recognition can have a positive impact on your professional reputation, opening doors to new business opportunities and setting you apart from competitors.

4. Access to Resources and Tools

The Texas Green Building Council provides its members with a wide array of resources and tools to support their sustainability efforts. These resources may include research papers, case studies, design guidelines, and access to databases with information on sustainable materials and technologies. By utilizing these resources, members can gain valuable insights and practical knowledge to implement green building practices effectively.

5. Advocacy and Influence

Joining the Texas Green Building Council gives you the opportunity to be part of a collective voice advocating for sustainable building practices and policies. The council actively engages with policymakers, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices at the state level. As a member, you have the chance to contribute to this advocacy work, making a tangible impact on the future of sustainable construction in Texas.

6. Cost Savings and Efficiency

Implementing green building practices not only benefits the environment but also provides cost savings and improved efficiency. The Texas Green Building Council offers members access to resources and expertise that can help optimize building performance, reduce energy consumption, and minimize waste generation. By adopting these strategies, businesses can lower operating costs, enhance resource efficiency, and increase the overall value of their projects.

Structural engineering services Texas

[impressbss]

Structural Engineer Texas: All You Need to Know

If you're planning to build a new house or commercial property, you'll likely need the services of a structural engineer. A structural engineer in Texas can help you design, inspect, and maintain the structural integrity of your building. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about structural engineers in Texas, including their qualifications, services, and how to find the right one for your project.

What is a Structural Engineer?

A structural engineer is a professional who specializes in analyzing, designing, and ensuring the structural safety and stability of buildings, bridges, and other structures. They work in collaboration with architects, contractors, and other professionals involved in the construction industry to ensure that buildings and other structures are safe, functional, and compliant with building codes and regulations.

Qualifications of a Structural Engineer in Texas

To become a structural engineer in Texas, an individual must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field, as well as a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The PE license is granted by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers after an individual has passed the appropriate exams and met the required experience and education requirements.

Services Provided by Structural Engineers in Texas

Structural engineers in Texas provide a variety of services to clients in the construction industry. These services include:

Structural Design

Structural engineers in Texas are responsible for designing the structural components of buildings, bridges, and other structures to ensure that they can support the weight of the structure and withstand environmental stresses such as wind, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

Structural Inspection

Structural engineers in Texas also conduct inspections of existing structures to assess their condition and identify any potential structural issues. These inspections are typically conducted as part of a property assessment or in response to a specific request from a property owner or government agency.

Structural Analysis

Structural engineers in Texas also perform structural analysis to determine the strength and stability of a structure. This analysis is often conducted using computer models and simulations to identify potential weaknesses and areas of concern.

Structural Repair and Rehabilitation

Structural engineers in Texas also provide services related to the repair and rehabilitation of existing structures. This includes identifying and addressing structural issues, as well as developing plans for the repair and rehabilitation of damaged or deteriorating structures.

[tejjyinc]

Structural engineers can benefit greatly from BIM (Building Information Modeling). BIM is crucial to the entire building process, from designing to visualizing, analyzing, and simulating. The majority of structural engineers create the building structure using a variety of BIM programs, including ArchiCAD, Autodesk Revit, Vectorworks, etc. The creation of models for coordination and documentation is often done by structural engineers and designers using BIM. The ability to maintain data accuracy while taking model updates along with change in design criteria is a key advantage of BIM for structural engineers. The depiction of a project, productivity, efficiency, and even the coordination and consistency of the data can all be improved with BIM in structural engineering.

[reality-detective]

This is the Red Alert You Can’t Ignore: Iran’s Military on U.S. Soil, Deep State Chaos, and the Elite’s Plot to Destroy America from Within!

The moment of truth is here. The battle for America’s soul is no longer in the shadows. The Deep State is waging war on our own soil, and the global elite are covering it up. Foreign forces are already inside our borders, preparing to strike.

We are on the brink of civil war. This isn't a drill. The Deep State, desperate to save their crumbling empire, has unleashed foreign troops to sow chaos. Enemy soldiers have infiltrated our country. Their targets: our key states, our critical infrastructure, and YOU.

Foreign Forces in Our Cities – Military Operations Escalate

The military is actively engaging on U.S. soil, but it’s not just our forces. Foreign soldiers are here, right now, waiting to tear America apart from the inside. California, Texas, Florida—they’ve been infiltrated by globalist-backed mercenaries disguised as South American gangs. These aren’t street criminals; they’re soldiers in the Deep State’s war against the American people.

Iranian troops have been sighted in the western U.S.—yes, actual Iranian military units, placed here by the Deep State to bring America to its knees when the time comes. The elites have sold us out—politicians and globalist operatives are working with these foreign forces to trigger America’s collapse.

Infrastructure is the target. Power grids, water supplies, and transportation hubs are all vulnerable, and the plan is clear: shut America down from within. When the lights go out, panic will explode, and the chaos will only grow. This is how they intend to bring America to its knees—through engineered collapse, martial law, and total domination.

The Deep State’s Master Plan: Civil War and Chaos

This plot has been years in the making. Every crisis, every election, every war was designed to bring us to this breaking point. But now, the Deep State is pulling the trigger on their final operation: a staged civil war. The military buildup in states like Texas, Florida, and California is not just for civil unrest; it’s a preparation for war against domestic and foreign enemies working for the Deep State.

Their endgame? Unleash chaos, call in foreign troops to “restore order,” and seize control. This is about more than power—it’s about absolute domination. They want you to own nothing, control nothing, and obey everything.

The Satanic Cabal: The Elite Families Want You Dead

Behind this operation are satanic monsters—the Rothschilds, Rockefellers, and their elite cronies who have been profiting from war, famine, and suffering for generations. These aren’t just businessmen. They are child traffickers, blood-drinkers, and war profiteers. The exposure of their networks is happening NOW.

Child trafficking, satanic rituals, organ harvesting—all of it is coming to light. The military is poised to blow their operations wide open, and they know their time is up.

The Quantum Financial System (QFS): Their Greatest Fear

The elite’s worst nightmare is the Global Currency Reset (GCR) and Quantum Financial System (QFS). Once it’s activated, the entire corrupt financial structure they’ve built crumbles. This is why they’re desperate to cause chaos and civil war. They need to stop the QFS from liberating humanity from their debt slavery system.

The storm is coming. The Deep State is moving fast, but we are faster. Prepare now. Stock up, stay alert, and get ready for the fight of your life.

I have been seeing this 👆 more and more...

The Storm Is Approaching 🤔

[covid-safer-hotties]

Newly discovered antibody protects against all COVID-19 variants - Published Sept 3, 2024

Researchers have discovered an antibody able to neutralize all known variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as distantly related SARS-like coronaviruses that infect other animals.

As part of a new study on hybrid immunity to the virus, the large, multi-institution research team led by The University of Texas at Austin discovered and isolated a broadly neutralizing plasma antibody, called SC27, from a single patient. Using technology developed over several years of research into antibody response, the team led by UT engineers and scientists obtained the exact molecular sequence of the antibody, opening the possibility of manufacturing it on a larger scale for future treatments.

"The discovery of SC27, and other antibodies like it in the future, will help us better protect the population against current and future COVID variants," said Jason Lavinder, a research assistant professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering's McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering and one of the leaders of the new research, which was recently published in Cell Reports Medicine.

During the more than four years since the discovery of COVID-19, the virus that causes it has rapidly evolved. Each new variant has displayed different characteristics, many of which made them more resistant to vaccines and other treatments.

Protective antibodies bind to a part of the virus called the spike protein that acts as an anchor point for the virus to attach to and infect the cells in the body. By blocking the spike protein, the antibodies prevent this interaction and, therefore, also prevent infection.

SC27 recognized the different characteristics of the spike proteins in the many COVID variants. Fellow UT researchers, who were the first to decode the structure of the original spike protein and paved the way for vaccines and other treatments, verified SC27's capabilities.

The technology used to isolate the antibody, termed Ig-Seq, gives researchers a closer look at the antibody response to infection and vaccination using a combination of single-cell DNA sequencing and proteomics.

"One goal of this research, and vaccinology in general, is to work toward a universal vaccine that can generate antibodies and create an immune response with broad protection to a rapidly mutating virus," said Will Voss, a recent Ph.D. graduate in cell and molecular biology in UT's College of Natural Sciences, who co-led the study.

In addition to the discovery of this antibody, the research found that hybrid immunity—a combination of both infection and vaccination—offers increased antibody-based protection against future exposure compared with infection or vaccination alone.

The work comes amid another summer COVID spike. This trend shows that while the worst of the pandemic may have passed, there's still a need for innovative solutions to help people avoid and treat the virus.

The researchers have filed a patent application for SC27.

More information: William N. Voss et al, Hybrid immunity to SARS-CoV-2 arises from serological recall of IgG antibodies distinctly imprinted by infection or vaccination, Cell Reports Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101668 www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(24)00382-3?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666379124003823%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

[spnbabe67]

Make My World Go Black

Kinktober Day 4: Friends to Lovers (T.O.)

Pairing: Tyler Owens x Fem Original Character

Warnings: Smut, Drinking, Soft and Slow sex

Summary: While visiting Loretta's hometown, the newest Tornado Wrangler gets a request to come pick Tyler up. The problem? Boone has the hotel key.

Word Count: 2962

Authors Note: Title and fic based on the song "Black" by Dierks Bently. (And yes, I know the character in the GIF isn't Tyler Owens, I couldn't find one that matched what I had in mind)

The last thing Loretta expected when Boone texted her was a request to pick up Tyler from the local bar. Sure, The Tornado Wranglers were in her turf, back home in North Texas, but usually it was Boone or even Lilly’s job to nurse their leader back to soberness. She had just crawled into bed, the time nearing 11, when her phone started blowing up with texts from her coworkers. At first she’d tried to ignore it, eyelids heavy from a long day of driving, but after the 5th text she’d relented, squinting at the bright screen. Most of Boone’s text was incoherent, the videographer clearly had a couple drinks himself, but through his copious amounts of spelling errors and incoherent sentence structure she gathered his message: come get Tyler.

So, Loretta pulled on a pair of jeans and a hoodie and pointed the headlights of her two-door Chevy towards the bar Boone had managed to type clearly. Loretta knew the bar well, a little hole in the wall downtown. She wasn’t surprised Tyler chose this place out of the list she’d given him to celebrate a successful season. They’d raised a significant amount for the communities they visited throughout the last couple months, and as an end of season celebration Tyler suggested they come visit Loretta’s hometown. She was the newest member of the group, having joined towards the end of last season when The Tornado Wranglers were chasing an EF4 in the Panhandle and came across Loretta who was competing at the local rodeo. She’d always had an interest in inclement weather growing up in the southern portion of Tornado Alley she’d seen her fair share of tornados, seen the devastation they left in their wake. Here she was, a little over a year later, picking up her boss who she’d had a crush on since he swaggered up to her at the bar after she’d finished competing. 

“Hey Doll.” Tyler gave her a lopsided grin under the brim of his white cowboy hat as Loretta approached him.

Boone or whoever had sat him down on a bench outside the bar, thumping base still audible through the walls. The air was tinged with the smell of cigarette smoke and grilling meat; it was a familiar and comforting aroma.

“Hey yourself, Cowboy.” Loretta quipped, ready to mockingly scold Tyler for getting drunk but it died on her tongue as he pushed himself up from the bench with ease, no sign of alcohol impairment. When she had read Boone’s text, she’d assumed his request to come get Ty;er was urgent, that Tyler was drunk. But here he stood, not drunk at all, buzzed if anything. 

“Thanks for comin’ to pick me up. Boone and the others are drunk off their asses with no intentions of leaving any time soon. We all carpooled and Lilly refuses to let anyone drive her car, so.” Tyler trailed off, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Loretta tried not to linger on how stupidly hot the motion was, eyes bouncing back up to his face from where they’d trailed down to his biceps that were outlined by his white t-shirt.

Loretta gave Tyler a half smile, nodding her head back to where her truck was parked. “Come on Cowboy, let's get you back. You drove more than I did today and I’m exhausted.”

Tyler huffed a laugh. “Me too.”

She let Tyler follow her as she hopped into the driver seat, cranking the key until her engine sputtered to life. “Alright, where did you guys hole up?”

Loretta looked over at Tyler as he whispered a curse under his breath, patting his pockets. “They only gave us one key and Boone has it.” 

He’d taken his hat off, ever the gentlemen, resting it on the dash. His sandy blonde hair was all mussed up, flat against his skull in some places and sticking out like a rooster's crown. His skin was tanned from years in the sun and it looked so damn smooth.

“I’ve got room.”

Tyler looked over at her, eyebrows raised and a half grin on his face. “Really? You got a spare room?”

Loretta tilted her head back and forth, bracing an arm over the back of the passenger seat as she backed out of the parking spot. “Eh, not exactly. But I have a queen sized bed and sleep like the dead.” She shrugged her shoulders as she drove them down the singular main drag through her small town. “Not like you have any other choice.”

“I can crash in my truck. Really Lor I don’t wanna impose on you.” Tyler tried to reason, sinking down lower in the passenger seat and Loretta had to force herself to keep her eyes on the road rather than watch as Tyler set his legs wider.

“It’s not imposing if I proposed the idea in the first place. So shut it and just let me take you home.” Loretta paused, feeling her cheeks go warm as she dragged a hand down her face to hide her sheepish smile. “That came out wrong.”

Tyler chuckled at her from the passenger seat, grinning at her. “Yes ma’am.”

“Fuck off.” Loretta jested, playfully shoving Tylers shoulder.

She ran a hand through her brown hair, tucking a couple errant strands behind her ear, trying to convince herself that the blush that still clung to her cheeks was because of her embarrassing statement and not because Tyler Owens was sitting in her truck and they were driving to her house. This felt right. The sky was full of stars, her house was far enough out in the country the light pollution was nearly nonexistent. With nothing but rows and rows of corn and soybeans with the occasional break for pastures for cows or horses, including the one that belonged to her acreage of land. The gravel kicked up around the wheels of her truck as she pulled down her driveway leading up to her raised ranch. 

“Well, this is me.” Loretta unbuckled her seatbelt, gesturing for Tyler to follow her. 

“It’s” She heard Tyler contemplate from behind her as she unlocked the front door. “Not gonna lie, it’s exactly what I was expecting.”

Loretta furrowed her brows as she let him into her house. “Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing?”

Tyler stuttered, running a hand over his head. “Good! Good! It’s a good thing I promise.”

Loretta giggled as she guided him upstairs. “I’m just fucking with you.” She stopped at the hall closet, pulling out a towel and a washcloth and holding them out to him. “Bathroom is the last door on the right, I’ll go grab you some clothes.”

“Thanks Doll.” 

Loretta held her breath as Tyler took the linens from her, tucking them under his arm before leaning in. It was everything she could do to not let her eyes flutter closed as Tyler's face got closer to hers, the heat of him leaking onto her. Loretta felt Tyler’s lips brush her cheek and immediately her chest tightened, that feeling of longing flooding her brain and heart. As brief as the kiss was, him pulling away was quicker, punctuated by that heartbreakingly sweet smile only a country raised boy could pull off. 

Loretta internally sighed, returning his grin with a toothless one of her own, patting his back. “Go get cleaned up Cowboy.”

Once Tyler snicked the bathroom door shut, Loretta retreated to her own bedroom, rifling through her dresser drawers. She knew her brother kept a spare pair of clothes in there somewhere for whenever he came to visit. There! She pulled a pair of boxers and another t-shirt from the back of her bottom drawer that seemed to be the right size.

“Just me.” Loretta knocked a couple times on the bathroom door before cracking the door open. The shower was running, the water hot enough to steam up the bathroom. “I found a pair of boxers and a shirt you can borrow for the night.”

“Oh, yeah, thanks.” Tyler said from behind the other side of the opaque shower curtain. 

Loretta hummed a response, fleeing the bathroom in the most nonchalant fashion she could manage, closing the door behind her. She let out a sigh, shaking her head trying to get rid of the images of Tyler naked not 5 feet from her separated only by the door and the shower curtain. He is probably soaking wet, lathered up with soap. No! Loretta went back to her own room, changing out of her sweatshirt and peeling off her jeans, changing them for a pair of sleep shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt from her alma mater. 

She turned the lamp on the bedside table on crawling under the covers, picking up the book she’d been meaning to finish, needing something to distract her from her less than pure road her thoughts her headed down. Absolutely not! He is your best fucking friend, your coworker! You fucking him would just make everything worse. 

Loretta’s eyes snapped up from the book cradled in her lap when she heard the bathroom door creak open and Tylers footfalls bring him into her room. She felt her mouth go dry at the sight of Tyler, dressed in just boxers and a shirt in her doorway. Sure, Loretta had seen him as well as the other Tornado Wranglers in various stages of undress. Chasing twisters required a level of get-up-and-go that didn’t leave time to worry about modesty. But it was the fact that he was here, in her room, about to sleep in her bed, that had her wanting to know just how good his muscled body would feel under her hands, against her body.

“Feel better?” Loretta managed to say, dipping her gaze back to her book to keep from ogling the man.

Tyler hummed somewhere from her right as she felt the bed dip under his weight as he climbed in beside her. “Nothing like a hot shower at the end of the day.”

It was Loretta’s turn to hum a noncommittal response, not trusting her mouth to filter the thoughts circling in her brain.

Tyler must have taken her minimal response as her being upset because his hand landed on her arm, causing her to flinch. “Lor, you okay? I can sleep on the floor, or on the couch.”

Instantly Loretta felt guilty, setting her book back on the nightstand.”No, no, no. Sorry, I’m just super tired. And don’t be spewing that bullshit. I’m not about to let you sleep on the couch let alone my floor.”

Tyler raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Alright, don’t get your panties in a twist.”

Loretta crinkled her nose at him,offering him a soft smile. She reached over, turning out the light with a quiet click, flooding the room into darkness save for the soft moonlight filtering through the curtains. She let out a sigh as she settled on her side facing Tyler, watching him do the same. Despite her bed being a modest Queen,Tyler was nearly chest to chest with her.

Loretta was glad the room was dark because she was sure her face was flushed red. The way the moonlight glanced off his face made her think Tyler looked like an actor in a black and white film, all James Dean with a titch of Marlon Brando.

“Hey Lor?”

“Hmm?”

Loretta could sense Tylers hesitation, the apprehension of her reaction to whatever he wanted to say. She felt him shift his arm like he was gonna reach out and touch her but the sensation of his hand against her arm never came, much to Loretta’s disappointment.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?”

Loretta blinked, then blinked again, trying to process what Tyler just said. She huffed a laugh, thinking Tyler was joking. “You sure you didn’t have anything to drink Ty?” 

“Yeah, I am.” There was no mistaking the seriousness in his voice, no mistaking the way he was looking at her. “‘Cause I wanted to be completely sober when I did this.”

It was like Tyler was in slow motion, the way he carefully brought his hand up to cup Loretta’s face, thumb stroking the line of her jaw as he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Fireworks erupted in her belly at the feeling of finally having his mouth on hers after months and months of hopelessly pining. Well, not really hopeless now is it? Because here he was, deepening the kiss as she willingly opened her mouth to him. Part of her had a hard time believing this was real, that maybe this was just a dream. A really good, really real feeling dream. But the other part was hyper aware of the fact that one of Tyler's bare thighs had slid between her own, the hand not brushed against her cheek had slid to her waist, pulling her even closer to him.

Loretta felt like she was on cloud nine, a high not even Boone’s weed could touch. She threaded her fingers through his hair, whimpering as Tyler’s tongue swept into her mouth. His thigh was solid muscle between her legs, rubbing up against the ache that had slowly started to grow there. Loretta let out a small moan as Tyler’s hand slipped down to palm her ass, rocking her onto his thigh. Loretta moaned Tyler’s name as his lips made a hot trail of sloppy kisses down her jaw to her neck. 

“I know, Baby, I know.” Tyler murmured against her neck, his hands sliding under her long sleeve shirt, thumbs stroking the planes of her belly. “Let me make this feel good.”

Loretta arched her back, helping Tyler slip her shirt off before his hand pressed against her stomach, laying her flat on her back. She whimpered as the cold air hit her bare chest, her nipples hardening. The cold was short lived as Tyler's hot mouth closed around the right one, his hand kneading the other, pulling a gasp from her lips. Her hand shot to his head, holding his face to her chest. She arched her back, chasing the feeling of his tongue circling around the sensitive bud, his left hand tweaking and pinching the other, every action had wetness pooling in her shorts. 

Tyler pulled off of her breasts, a line of saliva connected her nipple to his lips as he kissed his way back up her body until his lips met hers again more heated this time. Loretta slid her hands under Tyler's shirt, pulling it up and off, letting her explore the soft ridges of his abdomen. As Tyler rolled them over back onto their sides, Loretta became aware of something hard poking against her lower stomach. A very large, hard something. Everything in her became focused on the fact that Tyler’s hands had slipped back down to her hips, pushing her shorts down. Loretta reached out, slipping her hand down Tyler’s boxers causing him to curse under his breath.

He reached down himself, shimmying out of his boxers until they were naked. Loretta kissed Tyler deeply as he ran the fat head of his cock through her soaked folds, hiking her top leg high on his hip. 

“Fuck, baby you’re so wet for me.” Tyler muttered against her mouth between kisses, rutting himself against her until the head caught on her core.

Loretta’s mouth fell open as the head of Tyler’s cock slid into her, Tyler hissing through his teeth at how tight she gripped him. His fingers dug into the plush of her ass and thigh, holding her leg up so that he could slot his hips between her legs. Loretta let out a keening moan as Tyler slid in and in and in, filling her until she wasn’t sure she could take it anymore from the amount of arousal coiling in her stomach. She gripped his bicep as Tyler settled into an easy pace, short and slow thrusts that had her moaning breathily every time his hips slapped against her own. 

“Takin’ me so good. Feel so good, Baby. Been wanting to do this for so long.” Tyler mumbled praises against her mouth as he fucked into her, his fat cock brushing against that sensitive spot deep inside her.

“Tyler.” She moaned feeling her climax starting to build

“I know, Baby. Me too. Let me feel cum for me, Doll.”

Tyler kept fucking into her at the same pace, slipping a hand between them to rub small circles on her clit. The sensation of his calloused thumb against her clit sent her over the edge, her pussy walls clamping down on him as her orgasm crashed over her in waves of euphoria. Tyler’s own thrusts became uneven and sloppy as he came, burying himself inside her as his cum spurted deep into her pussy. 

Loretta let out a shaky breath, smiling as she lazily kissed Tyler. Tyler gently shifted his hips, letting his softening cock slide out of Loretta with a low groan. She cupped his face, her thumb brushing his cheekbone as she pulled away from him enough to admire his face. 

“Been wanting to do that for a while, huh?” She teased.

“Mm.” Tyler hummed, pressing a kiss to Loretta’s shoulder. “Ever since I saw you after that rodeo last year. Just never knew you felt the same.”

Loretta huffed a laugh, stroking her fingers through his hair. “What about your saying.”

“My saying?” Tyler looked up at her from kissing her collarbone. 

“If you feel it?” Loretta grinned, watching Tyler’s confused expression morph into a grin of his own.

“Chase it.”

[justforbooks]

Jeannette Charles

The Queen’s most famous lookalike, who enjoyed a long career in film and television thanks to their uncanny resemblance

In 1972, Jeannette Charles was in her mid-40s and settling down to life in an Essex village, having returned, with her husband, Ken, from Libya. They had been living there for some years, but left following the army coup led by Muammar Gaddafi.

On reading about the artist Jane Thornhill in a local newspaper, Charles decided to commission a painting of herself for her husband’s birthday. Thornhill asked whether she could submit it for the Royal Academy’s summer exhibition in London, but when she did, the venerable institution returned the picture, believing it to be a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and having been told by Buckingham Palace that the monarch had not sat for it.

The resulting publicity began a new chapter in the life of Charles, who would spend the next 40 years as the Queen’s most famous lookalike, and who has died aged 96. She appeared on British television and in Hollywood films, alongside stars such as Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley and Mike Myers, and also modelled for Spitting Image when the satirical TV show was making the Queen’s puppet.

Charles said of her uncanny resemblance to the monarch, whom she never met: “We both have the same bone structure, so the same style of makeup and hairdressing suits us best. But I’m 2 inches shorter than her, so my clothes wouldn’t always look well on her and vice versa.”

She also made personal appearances – opening shops, handing out gifts with the flamboyant piano virtuoso Liberace and presenting a silver disc to the rock group Queen – and Muhammad Ali put in a special request to have a photograph taken with her. Commercials kept her busy, too, but Charles insisted: “I am not an actress. I only do the one role.”

Her first job as the Queen was posing for a London Weekly Advertiser poster that featured her reading a paper, with a stuffed corgi at her feet. However, London Transport, which was due to display it on buses and Tube trains, objected and never used it. Charles said it was a lesson: “too real … a little vulgar”. She insisted she was a staunch royalist, and told the Guardian in 2022: “I would never do anything that reflected badly on the monarch or myself. Over the years, I’ve turned down large sums to pose for Page 3-type pictures and insisted I should never be introduced as the Queen when making appearances.”

Jeannette was born in London, 18 months after Princess Elizabeth, to Yetta (nee Wonsoff), who was Dutch, of Polish descent, and Alfred Clark, a chef, later restaurateur, and was brought up in Perivale, Middlesex. Her resemblance to the future monarch was spotted when she was still a child. She recalled: “On a trip to Greenwich when I was 11 or 12, a photographer asked if he could use me in some shots, saying, ‘She looks like Princess Elizabeth.’ Later, I’d draw crowds, especially abroad, and sometimes had to run away.”

After leaving Wembley high school, she took a job as a secretary and spent evenings acting with an amateur group in Acton. She dreamed of acting professionally, and passed an audition to train at Rada, but could not afford the fees. Instead, she emigrated to the US at the age of 24 and settled in Midland, Texas.

While working there as an au pair, she met Ken Charles, a British oil drilling engineer with BP. His work took him to Canada – where they married in Alberta in 1957 – and then to South America and Libya.

They returned to Britain in 1969 and, when regal fame came to Charles, she found herself travelling the world again. At home, her early screen appearances were in the sketch shows Rutland Weekend Television (1975), with Eric Idle and Neil Innes, Spike Milligan’s Q series (from 1976 to 1980), and Not the Nine O’Clock News (1980). She was also in sitcoms such as Mind Your Language (1978) and Never the Twain (1990), and jetted to the US for a 1977 appearance on Saturday Night Live.

When Hollywood came calling, she put on the royal tiara to appear in National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985). In The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), she was seen flat on her back with Nielsen on top of her as they slide down a royal banqueting table – when his inept detective believes the Queen is about to be assassinated and jumps to her rescue. For Charles, another highlight of filming that wacky movie was being invited to Presley’s trailer for lunch. “We became good friends,” she said.

She was back in Hollywood for The Parent Trap (1998), with Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson, and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), when she mistook its star, Myers, for a crew electrician on first meeting him.

Alongside chat shows, corporate events, fete openings and other appearances, she appeared in Motörhead’s music video promoting their version of the Sex Pistols song God Save the Queen in 2000.

Charles’s autobiography, The Queen & I, was published in 1986.

Her husband died in 1997. She is survived by their three children, David, Peter and Carol, and her sister, Delinda.

🔔 Jeannette Dorothea Louise Charles, lookalike, born 15 October 1927; died 2 June 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Cenotectic concept redefines search for life on icy worlds

As NASA's Europa Clipper embarks on its historic journey to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa, Dr. Matt Powell-Palm, a faculty member at Texas A&M University's Department of Mechanical Engineering, has unveiled research that could transform our understanding of icy ocean worlds across the solar system.

The study published in Nature Communications, co-authored with planetary scientist Dr. Baptiste Journaux of the University of Washington, introduces a novel thermodynamic concept called the "cenotectic" and investigates the stability of liquids in extreme conditions—critical information for determining the habitability of icy moons like Europa.

The exploration of icy ocean worlds represents a new frontier in planetary science, focusing on understanding the potential for these environments to support life. Powell-Palm's research addresses a fundamental question in this field: under what conditions can liquid water remain stable on these distant, frozen bodies?

By defining and measuring the cenotectic, the absolute lowest temperature at which a liquid remains stable under varying pressures and concentrations, the team provides a critical framework for interpreting data from planetary exploration efforts.

This study combines Powell-Palm's expertise in cryobiology—specifically the low-temperature thermodynamics of water—initially focused on medical applications like organ preservation for transplantation, with Journaux's expertise in planetary science and high-pressure water-ice systems. Together, they developed a framework that bridges disciplines to tackle one of the most fascinating challenges in planetary science.

"With the launch of NASA Europa Clipper, the largest planetary exploration mission ever launched, we are entering a multi-decade era of exploration of cold and icy ocean worlds. Measurements from this and other missions will tell us how deep the ocean is and its composition," said Journaux.

"Laboratory measurements of liquid stability, and notably the lowest temperature possible (the newly-defined cenotectic), combined with mission results, will allow us to fully constrain how habitable the cold and deep oceans of our solar system are, and also what their final fate will be when the moons or planets have cooled down entirely."

The research was conducted at Texas A&M and led by mechanical engineering graduate student Arian Zarriz. The work reflects Texas A&M's deep expertise in water-ice systems and tradition of excellence in space research, which spans multiple disciplines.

"The study of icy worlds is a particular priority for both NASA and the European Space Agency, as evidenced by the flurry of recent and upcoming spacecraft launches," said Powell-Palm.

As planetary exploration missions, such as those targeting icy moons, continue to expand our understanding of the solar system, researchers at Texas A&M and beyond prepare to analyze the wealth of data they will provide. By combining experimental studies like those conducted by Powell-Palm and Journaux with the findings from these missions, scientists aim to unlock the secrets of cold, ocean-bearing worlds and evaluate their potential to harbor life.

IMAGE: Schematic interior structure of an icy moon and the various geological processes involving the eutectic and cenotectic. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54625-z

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Researchers have uncovered a remarkable metal alloy that won’t crack at extreme temperatures due to kinking, or bending, of crystals in the alloy at the atomic level.  A metal alloy composed of niobium, tantalum, titanium, and hafnium has shocked materials scientists with its impressive strength and toughness at both extremely hot and cold temperatures, a combination of properties that seemed so far to be nearly impossible to achieve. In this context, strength is defined as how much force a material can withstand before it is permanently deformed from its original shape, and toughness is its resistance to fracturing (cracking). The alloy's resilience to bending and fracture across an enormous range of conditions could open the door for a novel class of materials for next-generation engines that can operate at higher efficiencies. The team, led by Robert Ritchie at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley, in collaboration with the groups led by professors Diran Apelian at UC Irvine and Enrique Lavernia at Texas A&M University, discovered the alloy's surprising properties and then figured out how they arise from interactions in the atomic structure. Their work is described in a study that was published April 11, 2024 in Science.

Read more.

[lonestarbattleship]

December 3, 2023 Update from the Battleship Texas Foundation

Battleship Texas!

"DRY DOCK TOURS

Dry Dock Tours are scheduled until the end of January 2024. Discount available for those who return. For more information please visit: battleshiptexas.org/drydock

A Texas high school takes a Dry Dock Tour! We offer major discounts to any school group interested in a tour.

SHIP REPAIRS

The 1925 teak has been removed from the base of all 5”/51 cal. Guns. New wood will go down.

TORPEDO BLISTERS (COMPLETE) - The new torpedo blisters are a slightly different design and square off at the bottom below the waterline. This design change will make the new blisters easier to maintain increasing their longevity.

SANDBLASTING - The ship’s hull is now being sandblasted at night and inspected for holes and damage during the day. The necessary repairs are made before the final coating is applied.

Keel blocks have been fleeted to paint the ship.

PAINT - The black coating used is PPG SIGMA SHIELD 880 GF.

New primer on the ship’s hull.

Doublers being placed on the hull of Battleship Texas.

Primer has been painted on about 50% of Battleship Texas.

Primer has been painted on about 50% of Battleship Texas. Note the epoxy that has been added to some areas.

Doublers being placed on the hull of Battleship Texas.

HULL NUMBER - The new hull numbers have been extensively researched so each number is not only the correct font, but applied in the appropriate position it was in 1945. Welders have created an outline where that will be painted on in the future.

SHIP’S NAME APPLIED - The lettering for the ship’s name has been cut from steel plate and has been attached to both sides of the stern. A ton of work and research went into getting the correct font and positioning.

COATING - The inside of the blisters, and the ship’s hull will be coated to protect against possible corrosion.

TANK CLEANING - Tanks inside the ship are being inspected, cleaned, and repaired if need be. Some will be coated with a marine coating to help prevent future corrosion.

AFT FIRE CONTROL - New steel deck has been added to the levels of the tower. The doors on on both sides have also been added back. The space is being prepped for the windows and more to return the structure to how it looked in 1945.

Scaffolding covers the aft fire control on Battleship Texas.

A panoramic view looking aft from the aft fire control tower.

Trent and Collin show off the first prototype window for the tower. There are some changes that will be made before production starts.

The doors on each side of aft fire control are now on.

Dock hands explore the ship’s engine room.

Viewing the 240mm shell that hit Battleship Texas in 1944.

Live, Laugh, And Flood your Torpedo Blisters.

Visit our website at: battleshiptexas.org"

Posted on the Battleship Texas Foundation Group Facebook: link

[usafphantom2]

Other Air Force personnel just didn’t understand about the unique SR 71 and that caused trouble.

Because the fuel was not conventional and the airframe was so secret convincing other people in the Air Force was difficult that this fuel was not volatile.

My Dad, Richard “ Butch” Sheffield, told me a story about when the SR 71, 960 had an engine blowout; they ( BEN BOWLS) and ( RICHARD SHEFFIELD) are attempting to land.

‘’As we approached Carswell, ( AFB TEXAS), smoke was pouring out of the right engine. I told Ben that if it was burning when we stopped on the runway and the fuel pools, it might explode. He agreed. I suggested we fly by the tower and ask them if they could see flames, which we did. Tower said no fire, and we landed.

The fire trucks surrounded us once on the runway, and I could see the fire chief making a large circle with his hands and arms, indicating the size of the hole in the engine.

What we didn’t know at the time was the forty-gallon oil tank in the wing was burning, and this was why shutting off the fuel did not put out the fire. Kelly Johnson, developer and manufacturer of the SR-71, said later that this was the only blackbird that ever flew that was structurally unsound because the right wing had warped due to the heat.

Beale had informed us about taxiing the SR into a hanger. Carswell had cleared out a hanger that had a B-52 in it, and we taxied up to the door. The fire chief saw the fuel leaking out of the wings, like it always did on the ground, and stopped us from taxing into the hanger by blocking our way with his truck.

We were forced to shut the engine down outside the hanger, and we knew they didn’t have a tow bar to pull us into the hanger, so the SR would have to sit there until someone flew in the tow bar.

After we got out of the aircraft, the fire chief and Ben got into a heated argument. The chief was saying no one pulls into one of our hangers, dripping fuel. Ben was saying that the fuel wouldn’t burn. The chief didn’t believe him. The fuel was PF-1.( JP-7) It was designed to not explode up to temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Placing the SR 71 in a hanger was very important. This was 1968; little was known about the SR 71 then, and that’s how they wanted it to remain secret. It took months to repair this SR 71. Dad and Ben receive the distinguished flying cross for saving this airplane. There was trouble with the 960 later on as it had yet another engine flame out; this SR 71 is on display outside at Castle Air Force Base, California.

Written by Colonel Richard “Butch” Sheffield and Linda Sheffield Miller

@Habubrats71 via X

[infamouslydorky]

Sans:

First impression: scary silhouette... oh, lmao, whoopie cushion

Impression now: punny skeleman with depression

Favorite moment: stacks hotdogs on your head

Idea for a story: no idea

Unpopular opinion: I understand the urge to make him edgy but there's also a lot of levity to his character that I think people often forget to write their stories, which is valid, I just feel there could be more of a balance ig

Favorite relationship: you should get the pattern that I'm a big fan of siblings annoying each other but loving each other very much. Fambly

Favorite headcanon: spawn of gaster

Engineer:

First impression: soft spoken Texas man will not hesitate to kill you

Impression now: soft spoken Texas man will not hesitate to kill you (but also short)

Favorite moment: "...how am I supposed to prevent some mean mother-hubbard from tearing me a structurally superfluous new behind?"

Idea for a story: again I say no idea

Unpopular opinion: with how these have gone, take a wild guess?

Favorite relationship: buddy science experiments with medic. Both unhinged in different ways but vibrating at the same frequency

Favorite headcanon: son or grandson of tfc engineer