โ Scribed by R.H. Oppermann
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Underground Industrial Plants have Limited Possibilities. (Industry and Power, Vol. 52, No. 4.)--If atomic power is to be the predominate weapon of the world, the only hope of security of any nation big or small is the control of all fisionable materials by a world organization and free access for inspection of research institutions and manufacturing concerns. Pending the realization of that dream, underground industrial plant's merit at least some consideration.
Ages ago man found refuge in caves and crevices. Not only was he protected from the elements, but, with a reduction in the angle of approach, he was not so vulnerable to attack from his enemies. We do not have sufficeint caves to house the millions of people now inhabiting the earth, and in the light of present developments our artificial shelters look inadequate. So far the only defense proposed against atomic bombs is distance and mass. Without doubt some of our industries are giving consideration to going "in the hole" to place sufficient mass between the plant and point of attack. Fortunately such a move is not altogether financially unsound.
Many large buildings have been erected that have basements with 4 to 6 floors below street level. The extra space made available did not cost appreciably more than the convenitonal and upkeep has not been as high. Once inside the building people do not seem to notice whether they are above or below ground level, as everything is oriented with reference to some such place as the elevator, escalator, lunch room or bar.
Aside from the protection from sudden destruction, being underground offers some other distinct advantages, namely; better temperature control, less maintenance, and possible use of gravity flow for production lines. To offset these gains the number of disadvantages include: cost and difficulty of construction, year round mechanical ventilation, elevator service for large number of employes, psychological reaction of workers, sound control, and restricted expansion.
R. H. OPPERMANN.
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