Winner!

Thanks to all who participated in the challenge. Our winner is Mike McKenna. His rewrite was concise, vivid, and addressed the two major problems (capitalization of “steel fibers” and problems with parallel structure in the bulleted list). Here it is:

Many manufacturers are turning to steel fibers as the preferred reinforcement for precast concrete segments. When compared to traditional re-bar cages, steel fibers provide the following benefits:

• Labor costs are reduced by eliminating re-bar.
• Fewer segments per batch are damaged during manufacturing and transportation.
• Cracks due to temporary loads during installation are minimized.

Filed under: Find the Error Challenges

Challenge Day!

We’re playing for another Starbucks card (it can be mailed!) …

Today’s challenge is to rewrite the following short paragraph. The best rewrite wins. Don’t agonize over this one; it’s not brain surgery. Your hint is the “Lisa’s Pet Peeves” category of the site (see list at right).

Many segment manufactures are turning to Steel Fibers as the preferred reinforcement method. This is because use of Steel Fiber concrete in the manufacturing process results in the following benefits, when compared to traditional reinforcement cages:

• Labor costs are lower(no cage assembly);
• Lower reject/damage ratios: that is fewer segments for a given batch cycle are damaged during manufacturing and transportation;
• Crack widths of the installed product (installation often results in cracking due to temporary loads);

P.S. to the author of this passage: Don’t worry, this wasn’t what you wrote.

Filed under: Find the Error Challenges

Identify the Error

It’s time for another round of “find the mistake.” A really fabulous prize came into my possession, and I’m excited to see who is going to win it.

So. What’s wrong with this passage? (Your hint is that, unlike last time, it’s a detail.)

To accommodate the established tunnel clearances, a 33.5-foot-diameter TBM would be required. Given the short length of the mined tunnel section (only about 3,200 feet) and the cost of TBM’s of this size, TBM methods would not be cost effective.

Filed under: Apostrophes, Find the Error Challenges, Plurals

Yesterday's Challenge

Thanks to the many who played!

The winners are: Jennifer Allen and Sarah Wilson.

The main problem with the paragraph is that the content of the paragraph doesn’t fulfill the promise of the header (Scope). This paragraph provides background information about how the electrical power will be provided; it does not provide information about the scope of the study or report.

There were many other problems with the paragraph, which many of you identified (give yourselves a pat on the back) but this is the main problem. The lesson here is not to become so focused on details that you forget the big picture.

Filed under: Find the Error Challenges

Solve this Problem

I feel like having some fun. So today, I offer you a challenge.

Correctly identify the main problem with this paragraph:

Scope

Electrical power requirements supporting the proposed tunnel are presented for two distinct phases: electrical demand during construction and electrical demand supporting maintenance activities. The peak electrical demand will be associated with the tunnel boring machine excavation. A temporary substation will be located near the Alameda West Portal and temporary construction power drop will service the Irvington Portal. Following construction, permanent station service power will serve lighting, ventilation, security, and operational demand. An emergency backup power supply will service essential demand.

Filed under: Find the Error Challenges