Calculating the Building Volume: Time, Labor, & Socio-Political Organization

In summary, the conversation involved determining the volume of a building and finding out how many basketloads, mud bricks, and stone blocks it would take to construct it. This also included calculating the required worker-hours and the time it would take to build depending on varying levels of sociopolitical organization and population size. The volume of the building was estimated to be 400,000 cubic feet, with a cubit being equal to 1.5 feet. The volume of a mud brick was found to be 0.5 cubic feet, while the volume of a stone block was 20.25 cubic feet. The task involved division and did not include support workers in the work estimate.
  • #1
davemoosehead
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Homework Statement



Our class exercise in World Prehistory was to figure out the volume of the building we were in and answer the following:

How many a) basketloads, b) mud bricks, c) stone blocks would it take to build structure?
How many worker-hours would it take?
How many days/months/years would it take, given varying levels sociopolitical organization and population size?

Levels of sociopolitical organization and population size:
A. Complex chiefdom: population size 1000. Each adult owes 10% of his or her labor to the chief.
B. Neolithic town: population size 3500. Each adult owes 10% of his or her labor to the leader.
C. State/civilization: population size 100,000. 20% of the population is slaves of the state. 20% of the population is royal or noble and does not work. The other 60% pays taxes to support the state, but owes no labor.

Basketload: one cubic foot, requires 2/5 worker hour to collect, transport, and set.
Mud brick: 10x14x6 inches, requires 1/3 worker hour to manufacture, transport, and set.
Stone block: 1 cubit by 2 cubits, by 3 cubits, requires 4 worker hours to cut, transport, and set.
Structure is solid inside, no airspace.
Modern 8-hour work day, work estimate need not include, support workers, only actual builders.
For all populations, assume 40% ofthe population is adults.

Homework Equations



cubit = 1.5 feet

The Attempt at a Solution



The volume of our building was approximately 400,000 cubic feet
Volume of brick things: Mudbrick: .5 feet cubed; Stone block: 20.25 feet cubed
 
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  • #2
So how many bricks or stones does it take to build the building? Clue: It involves a division. Once you get that, we can work on the other parts of the problem.
 
  • #3
The volume of our building was approximately 400,000 cubic feet
Volume of brick things: Mudbrick: .5 feet cubed
So, how many mudbricks go into a pyramid?
 

1. How do you calculate the building volume?

To calculate the building volume, you will need to measure the length, width, and height of the building and multiply them together. This will give you the total cubic feet or cubic meters of the building. Alternatively, you can also use a 3D modeling software to accurately calculate the volume of a complex building.

2. What is the importance of calculating building volume?

Calculating building volume is important for several reasons. It helps determine the amount of materials needed for construction, estimate the cost of the project, and ensure that the building complies with building codes and regulations. Additionally, it can also help with space planning and optimizing the use of available space.

3. How does labor affect the calculation of building volume?

Labor is a crucial factor in calculating building volume as it directly impacts the time it takes to complete a construction project. The more labor is required, the longer it will take to complete the project, which can ultimately affect the building volume calculation. Therefore, it is important to consider the labor requirements and factor them into the calculation.

4. How does socio-political organization play a role in building volume calculation?

Socio-political organization can impact building volume calculation in several ways. For instance, certain regulations and zoning laws may restrict the height or size of a building, which can affect the final calculation. Additionally, factors such as the availability of labor, resources, and funding can also be influenced by socio-political factors, ultimately impacting the building volume calculation.

5. Are there any limitations to calculating building volume?

While calculating building volume can provide valuable information, there are some limitations to consider. For example, the calculation may not account for variations in building design or changes made during the construction process. Additionally, the calculation may not accurately reflect the actual volume if the building has irregular shapes or complex features. It is important to take these limitations into account when using building volume calculations for construction projects.

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