Ep 3. Leaning Towers of Terror

The show Engineering Catastrophes explores the flaws and failures in various engineering projects and structures. In season 1, episode 3, titled Leaning Towers of Terror, the episode focuses on notable buildings and structures that were designed to last for centuries but instead turned into engineering catastrophes.

The episode highlights the issues with the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which was built in the 12th century. Though it has been tilting for centuries, in recent years it has started to lean much more rapidly than expected. The show examines the research and efforts of engineers to find a solution to stabilize the tower and prevent it from collapsing.

Next, the episode focuses on an apartment building in San Francisco known as the Millennium Tower, which is also experiencing unexpected tilting. The building is over 600 feet tall and home to some of the richest people in the city. But the show highlights the failing engineering attempts to fix the foundation of the building, which is sinking and has tilted 14 inches to one side. With the support columns of the building cracking, residents are worried that the entire building could collapse and cause unimaginable destruction.

The next topic the episode explores is a stadium in Germany that, despite being built fairly recently, has significant water damage that threatens its structural integrity. The engineers at the Dusseldorf football stadium discovered that the roof trusses of the stadium exhibit corrosion and water damage. They are worried that the metal pillars could eventually collapse, causing a catastrophic event. The episode examines the complex process underway to repair the stadium's metal pillars, a job that requires much attention and hard work.

Finally, the show turns to the New Orleans levees that failed to protect the city from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The levees project was expected to be completed in approximately 10 years, but due to budget cuts, red tape, and a lack of oversight, it took 40 years to complete. The show focuses on how contractors and engineers cut corners to save money, leading to dangerous design flaws that ultimately led to their failure to protect the city from the disastrous hurricane.

Throughout the episode, experts and engineers weigh in on their opinions of these engineering disasters and how they came about. The show also explores the potential catastrophic consequences of not following proper engineering procedures and the importance of catching problems before they become catastrophes.

In summary, the Engineering Catastrophes season 1, episode 3, takes a closer look at some of the biggest engineering catastrophes of modern history. The episode highlights the importance of preventing these types of failures and how the smallest design flaw or mistake can lead to unimaginable destruction. It is a fascinating and educational episode for anyone interested in engineering, architecture, or history.