Ep 2. Crash Absorbing Concrete

Smash Lab season 1 episode 2, titled "Crash Absorbing Concrete," follows a team of engineers and designers as they try to create a new type of concrete that can withstand major impacts. The episode begins with a dramatic reenactment of a car accident, showing the damage caused by a crash on a busy freeway. The team discusses the limitations of traditional concrete, which can crack and crumble under pressure, causing even more damage in the event of a crash.

To solve this problem, the Smash Lab team experiments with a variety of materials and techniques to create a more durable and shock-absorbing form of concrete. They start with traditional concrete and add various additives to improve its properties, such as fiber reinforcement to increase strength and rubber particles to absorb impact.

The team tests their various concrete samples in a controlled environment, using a powerful hydraulic ram to simulate the force of a car crash. They measure the amount of damage caused and analyze the results to determine which formulas are the most effective.

Throughout the episode, the team faces numerous setbacks and challenges. One of their early prototypes proves to be too soft and crumbles easily, while another is so tough that it shatters into dangerous shards upon impact. However, the team perseveres and continues to refine their formulas until they find the perfect balance between strength and shock-absorption.

As the episode progresses, the team becomes more confident in their new concrete and begins to test it in more extreme scenarios. They build a full-scale mock-up of a highway barrier and impact it with a speeding car, with impressive results. The barrier holds up well and the car is prevented from crossing over into the oncoming lane.

In the final scene, the team presents their new concrete to a group of officials from the California Department of Transportation. The officials are impressed with the results and express interest in using the new material to improve safety on the state's highways.

Overall, "Crash Absorbing Concrete" is an exciting and informative episode that showcases the ingenuity and problem-solving skills of the Smash Lab team. It provides a fascinating look into the world of engineering and construction, and highlights the importance of innovation in creating a safer and more sustainable future.