Ep 5. Engineering Disasters

Engineering is one of the most important fields that contribute to the betterment of the world we live in today. It allows us to create magnificent structures, efficient machines that revolutionize our daily lives, and intricate systems that make our society function. But, just like any other field, engineering is not immune to failures and mishaps. In this episode of Modern Marvels, titled Engineering Disasters, we explore some of the most catastrophic engineering failures that shook the world and left a lasting impact on society.

The episode begins by introducing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge located in Washington State, which opened to the public in July of 1940. The bridge, which was renowned for its contemporary design, began to show strange movements that were not evident during the construction phase. The oscillations grew stronger until the bridge tore itself apart and was destroyed within a few months of opening to the public. Experts explain how, despite being extensively tested in a wind tunnel to ensure safety, the designers missed the crucial fact that the bridge's design was susceptible to resonance motion caused by the wind. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse is an excellent example of how a small oversight can lead to extreme consequences.

The segment then goes on to explore the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse that occurred in 1981 in Kansas City, Missouri, and claimed the lives of 114 people. The incident occurred when an elevated walkway suspended from the ceiling of the hotel lobby gave way during a party, and the upper walkway collapsed onto the lower one. The engineers who designed the walkway chose to attach the cantilevered walkways to a single set of rods, increasing the load on them. Additionally, the rods were not meant to withstand the weight of two walkways. Ultimately, the engineers' critical oversight led to the disaster, highlighting the importance of proper design and testing protocols.

The episode then explores the Chernobyl disaster that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. During a safety test, the control rods that slow the nuclear reaction in the reactor did not perform as expected, leading to a chain reaction that resulted in a massive explosion. The explosion destroyed the reactor and released radioactive materials into the environment, which resulted in severe health and environmental consequences. We learn how the disaster could have been prevented if the engineers and managers had been more vigilant and followed proper safety procedures.

Next, the episode covers the Piper Alpha disaster that occurred in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The offshore oil platform caught fire, causing the deaths of 167 workers. Engineers failed to test a new gas pump system, which led to a safety valve malfunction that ultimately caused the explosion. The experts explain how a lack of proper safety procedures, inadequate training, and a failure to recognize the risks of the new system led to the disaster.

Finally, the episode covers the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, which occurred in 1986. The Space Shuttle Challenger was NASA's second orbiter and its tenth spaceflight mission. During launch, a seal on one of the solid rocket boosters failed, leading to the explosion of the Shuttle, killing all seven crew members. Experts explain how the disaster could have been prevented if engineers had been more attentive to the O-ring sealing system's design and testing.

Engineering is about creating something new, innovative, and useful to society. However, disasters can occur when sufficient attention is not given to the smallest details. Engineering Disasters examines the costs of such mishaps and raises awareness of how vital it is to maintain safety at every stage of a project's design and execution. Through this episode, Modern Marvels highlights the importance of safety protocols, checks, and balances to ensure that similar disasters never occur again.