Ep 65. Engineering Disasters 14

In Modern Marvels season 11 episode 65, titled "Engineering Disasters 14," viewers will be taken on a journey through some of the biggest and most catastrophic engineering failures in modern history. With a focus on engineering projects, the episode will delve into the reasons behind the failures and the lessons that were learned or could have been learned.

The episode begins by looking at the collapse of the pedestrian walkway at Florida International University, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. The failure was caused by a design flaw where the bridge's main truss was not properly connected to the adjacent support structures. The show will examine the construction techniques used and the role that cost played in compromising safety.

The next disaster explored in the episode is the gas leak and subsequent explosion in San Bruno, California, in 2010. The blast killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. The show will discuss the pipeline technology and design that was in place at the time and the errors that led to the disaster. Additionally, the show will look at the response to the explosion, including the legal fallout and the efforts of the community to rebuild.

The third featured disaster is the crash of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in 2010, which led to one of the largest oil spills in history. The episode will look at the complex engineering that went into the drilling of the well and the decisions made by BP that ultimately led to the disastrous outcome. The show will also examine the efforts made to stop the flow of oil and the long-term environmental impact of the tragedy.

The fourth disaster highlighted is the sinking of the Titanic, which remains one of the most famous maritime tragedies of all time. The show will examine the engineering behind the construction of the Titanic, including its watertight compartments, and the causes of the ship's sinking. The episode will also take a close look at the consequences that arose from the disaster and how engineering practices changed as a result.

Next up is the collapse of the Hyatt Regency hotel skywalks in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1981. The show will explore the design of the hotel's three-story atrium and the reasons why the walkways failed catastrophically. Additionally, the episode will cover the aftermath of the disaster, including the investigations that followed and the measures put in place to improve building safety.

The final disaster covered in the episode is the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. The show will delve into the geological engineering that went into the construction of the monitoring stations and the efforts made to predict the eruption. The episode will also examine the impact of the eruption, including the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the lessons learned about the unpredictability of nature.

Overall, "Engineering Disasters 14" offers a wide-ranging and informative exploration of some of the most notorious engineering failures in modern history. Through a combination of expert analysis and archival footage, the episode provides important insights into the causes of these disasters and the ways in which engineering practices have evolved in response.