Ep 5. Atlantic City Casino Collapse

In season 5, episode 5 of Engineering Catastrophes, viewers are taken to Atlantic City to witness the catastrophic collapse of a brand-new casino that was built to impress. The episode explores how the building, which was touted as one of the most advanced structures in the area, crumbled to the ground in a single moment, causing widespread panic and devastation.

As the episode begins, viewers are given a brief history of Atlantic City, and how it became a hub for casino gambling in the United States. The city's long-standing reputation for luxury and indulgence attracted a lot of investors, and several casinos were built in the area, each one more grandiose than the last.

One such casino was the focus of this episode. The building was designed to be a marvel of engineering, boasting tens of thousands of square feet of gaming space, an opulent hotel, and a vast parking garage. Engineers and builders worked tirelessly for months to bring it to fruition, and by all accounts, the project seemed to be going smoothly.

However, the episode quickly reveals that there were several issues with the building's design and construction. For example, the casino was built on top of an old pier, which was in a state of disrepair. Moreover, the foundation of the building was not nearly as strong as it needed to be, making the entire structure vulnerable to collapse.

As the episode progresses, viewers are given an inside look at the building process and how engineers and construction workers dealt with the problems they faced. They also learn about several setbacks, such as delays in construction, arrival of natural disasters, and other unforeseen events.

With the opening of the casino only a few weeks away, the pressure on the workers was immense, and most of them worked long hours to get the job done on time. But this haste led to cutting corners, which ultimately cost lives.

Finally, the day of the casino's opening arrived, and thousands of people poured into the building to try their luck at the slot machines and table games. But just as the excitement began to peak, disaster struck.

The episode shows how the building's foundation failed, causing the entire structure to collapse. The collapse was so severe that it caused several deaths and injuries and destroyed the brand new casino beyond repair.

In the aftermath of the collapse, investigators were brought in to study what went wrong and how to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. The episode concludes with the lessons learned from the Atlantic City Casino Collapse, and how changes in the design and construction industry could prevent such disasters from happening.

Overall, the episode showcases the incredible complexities of building grand structures and the challenges faced by engineers and builders. It also highlights the importance of following safety protocols and regulations to ensure the safety of those who work on the projects and the public who will use the facilities.