Ep 5. Earthquake Proof House

Smash Lab season 1 episode 5, titled "Earthquake Proof House," focuses on the team's goal to create a house that can withstand a massive earthquake. The episode starts off with host Charles Fleming explaining how earthquakes can cause serious damage to homes and structures, with the potential to injure or kill people inside. In fact, even modern houses that meet earthquake building codes can still suffer catastrophic damage during a strong earthquake.

To tackle this challenge, the team at Smash Lab is joined by structural engineer Mike Dobler, who has a vast experience working with structures that can withstand extreme forces. The team's first attempt at building an earthquake-proof house involves using a metal skeleton frame filled with expanded polystyrene foam, which is meant to absorb shocks and create a flexible structure. However, when the team tests their model with a large shake table, it doesn't fare well, with the frame cracking and the walls shifting.

Determined to find a better solution, the team comes up with an idea to build a house that floats on a network of springs, which allows it to move with the ground during an earthquake. They work with professional boat builders to construct a wooden frame that sits on top of a series of hydraulic dampers. The hydraulic dampers contain fluid that can absorb the energy of an earthquake, and the wooden frame is secured to them with metal rods that act as springs. The team tests their new design with a shake table that can simulate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and the house passes the test with flying colors, showing minimal damage.

But the team is not done yet. They want to take their design to the next level by making it aesthetically pleasing, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly. So they collaborate with a group of architecture students to come up with a sleek and modern design that incorporates solar panels, a rainwater collection system, and efficient insulation. The team uses cross-laminated timber panels to construct the house, which is a sustainable material made from layers of wood that are glued together.

The episode concludes with the team showcasing their new and improved earthquake-proof house to a panel of experts, who are thoroughly impressed with their creation. The house withstands a rigorous set of tests that include a simulated 8.0 earthquake, and it comes out unscathed. The experts laud the team's efforts and commend them for creating a structure that is not only functional but also beautiful to look at.

Overall, Smash Lab season 1 episode 5 is an intriguing and informative episode that showcases the team's innovative spirit and determination to create something that can make a real difference in people's lives. The episode also highlights the importance of sustainability and environmentally friendly design, which are issues that continue to be relevant today. Viewers who are interested in science, engineering, and architecture will find this episode to be engaging and thought-provoking.