Ep 4. Terror in Tacoma
- TV-PG
- October 23, 2019
- 42 min
In Engineering Catastrophes season 3 episode 4, titled Terror in Tacoma, viewers will learn about one of the scariest engineering disasters in recent history. The episode explores the tragic events that occurred in Washington State in 2002, when the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, also known as Galloping Gertie, collapsed in a dramatic and terrifying way. The iconic suspension bridge had been built in 1940 and was considered an engineering feat at the time. But, just four months after it opened to the public, it succumbed to powerful wind gusts and collapsed into the Puget Sound below.
The episode delves into the history of the bridge, exploring how and why it was built, and the numerous warning signs that engineers and experts ignored in the years leading up to the disaster. Viewers will meet individuals who witnessed the collapse firsthand, including a man who was driving across the bridge as it started to buckle and sway.
Engineering Catastrophes season 3 episode 4 also features interviews with experts in the field of engineering and physics, who discuss the root causes of the disaster. They examine the design flaws and construction errors that contributed to the bridge's collapse, and explain how the wind deflection and aerodynamic forces on the bridge finally caused it to fail.
In addition, the episode explores the aftermath of the collapse, including the impact on the local community and the efforts to rebuild a new, more stable bridge in its place. Viewers will see how engineers used cutting-edge technology and techniques to improve the design of the new bridge, and how they tested it extensively to ensure that it would not suffer the same fate as its predecessor.
Terror in Tacoma is a gripping and informative episode of Engineering Catastrophes that highlights the importance of proper engineering and construction practices. It shows how even the most seemingly simple design flaws can have catastrophic consequences, and how engineers and experts must always be vigilant in their work to ensure the safety of the public.
