voyager Wrote:

> >
>
> I agree that most bridges and rail beds are not
> designed for huge loads but we've been able to
> move large and heavy items for more than a few
> generations.
>
> Even more remarkable in my opinion is the
> reliability of their machines. Considering the
> kinds of block setting rates described in the
> studies, these lifting mechanisms, sleds, skids,
> ropes, etc. had to be extremely reliable. Think
> what would happen if a skid failed half-way up a
> ramp. How many hours would it take to clear the
> problem and resume operations? It brings a new
> set of challenges to consider, spare parts,
> disassembly and repair, etc. Now I can visualize
> shops, dedicated to maintaining the machinery.


[www.fhwa.dot.gov]

These guys claim to have the largest crane in the world. It
has an 850t capacity. This is insufficient to move the largest
blocks in Khafre's valley "temple".

I think their claims contain a little puffery. I couldn't find
it on a quick search but I think there's a 1200t crane now. These
did not exist until the breakthroughs in tensile steel strenghts
achieved in the 1970's.

Most rail bridges would not support a car containing 1000t. This
is little problem since there are no railbeds that can deliver such
loads to them and no rail road cars which wouldn't collapse.






____________
Man fears the pyramid, time fears man.