Engineering Catastrophes Season 1 Episode 4

Ep 4. Death Ray Skyscraper

  • TV-PG
  • April 26, 2018
  • 42 min
  •   (9)

In Engineering Catastrophes Season 1 Episode 4, titled "Death Ray Skyscraper," viewers are taken on a journey through the aftermath of a dangerous malfunction in a Las Vegas hotel. The Vdara Hotel, known for its unique crescent shape, is in the spotlight as engineers and experts work to uncover the reason behind a terrifying phenomenon referred to as the "death ray."

As guests began checking into the high-rise hotel, they noticed something unsettling: the reflection of the building's mirrored exterior was producing intense heat on the pavement below. People lounging by the pool started reporting that the sun's reflection was so strong, it was burning them. Some said their plastic bags and other personal belongings were melting. In one instance, a guest reported that their hair had been singed.

As reports of these incidents began to accumulate, it became clear that there was an engineering flaw in the building's design. The curved surface of the building was concentrated and magnifying the sun's rays, producing temperatures that reportedly reached up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, causing serious harm and damage to guests.

Experts in this episode work to explain the science behind this phenomenon, while hotel staff and local officials race to find a solution to the problem. It is soon revealed that the building's architects failed to consider the reflective properties of the distinctive glass that they had installed. As a result, the hotel was essentially acting like a giant magnifying glass, creating a concentrated beam of intense heat with deadly potential.

As the engineers and experts work to develop a fix for this issue, viewers are given an inside look at the creation of this uniquely-designed building. With exclusive insights from architects and engineers, they gain a better understanding of how a small oversight could lead to this catastrophic issue.

With the fate of the Vdara hotel in the balance, the episode explores the lengths that expert teams went to in order to eliminate the death ray, ensuring the safety of hotel guests and workers alike. The hair-raising reality of this situation was a testament to the importance of expert planning and attention to detail, and it serves as a warning of the deadly potential of simple design flaws.

Overall, "Death Ray Skyscraper" is a gripping and informative episode that takes a deeper look into the world of structural engineering and the potential consequences of design mistakes. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of the modern world's most innovative buildings and designs.

Description
Watch Engineering Catastrophes - Death Ray Skyscraper (s1 e4) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Engineering Catastrophes, Season 1 Episode 4, is available to watch and stream on Science Channel. You can also buy, rent Engineering Catastrophes on demand at Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime, Philo, Amazon, Vudu, Science Channel, FuboTV, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    April 26, 2018
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    42 min
  • Language
    English