METRIC SYSTEM IN THE USA

The use of the metric system in the USA is increasing. With 90% of the world's countries using or going to ^use the metric system the USA cannot as a nation stand alone in a metric world. Not adopting the International System of Units (SI) they will be limiting their position in world trade. The adoption of the metric system would give an opportunity to investigate and improve designs and materials in the construction industry. Standardisation of sizes, configurations, etc. could also be done at the same time.

The adoption of the metric system would further promote the international exchange of building construction techniques and materials and sharing in technological advancements among different countries.

The International System of Units is convenient for engineering computation thus reducing errors. US industries that have been working towards the metric system have not experienced the difficulty expected in learning and using the system. There are thousands of engineering standards applied to nealy every product from the smallest screw to the largest building truss. Cement and paint, nails and light bulbs, screen doors and linoleum, ceiling tile and kitchen cabinets, elevators and door knobs— all are covered by standards to attain comparability between competing products and to enhance product quality and reliability. There are standard provisions for processing (how products are fabricated, shipped, erected, installed), for materials (their chemical and physical constituency and properties); for functioning (how the product functions internally and along with interconnected or related products); for dimensions (linear sizes) and for tolerances (the latitude within which standard dimensions may vary for each product). All these standards must be changed to metric.

EXERCISES

I. Answer the following questions:

1. What will the International System of Units bring the USA in international standard development? 2. How will it improve their position? 3. Is the metric system convenient for engineering computation? 4. Are there any difficulties in using the metric system? 5. What are the advantages of the metric system?

II. Complete the following sentences:

1. The use of the metric system in the USA is.... 2. The International System of Units is convenient for.... 3. Many people in the USA think that the adoption of the metric system would promote....

III. Translate the text using a dictionary:

Plywood

Plywood is a structural board. It is stronger and has more dimensional stability than wood, and is glued from an odd number of sheets of veneer with the grain of adjacent sheets at right angles to each other. Three-ply is the commonest and cheapest but multi-ply is also much used. Plywood was used by the joiners of Europe particularly France, in furniture-making some centuries ago. It is also believed to have been used by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. Plywood panels for doors were made in 1890. Plywood was known in the USA as "veneered stock" until 1919.

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