There's only one reason why the concrete failed. The self-supporti design of the bridge,...
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There's only one reason why the concrete failed. [narrator] Four decades of water damage had slowly undermined the integrity of the foundations. And on August 1st, 1976, they were no longer able to hold the bridge in place [Dietmar] There was a sudden failure, a sudden sheer off of this part of the foundation. [narrator] The self-supporti design of the bridge, meant that when the eastern foundations failed, so did the pylon, pulling the rest of the brid down with it. The investigation took nearly a year to conclude. But the final findings were clear. Even the most thorough
examination of the bridge would not have prevented the collapse. Since it is not possible to inspect the concrete and the pier foundations without causing damage, it means this catastrophe
was unforeseeable
examination of the bridge would not have prevented the collapse. Since it is not possible to inspect the concrete and the pier foundations without causing damage, it means this catastrophe
was unforeseeable
Full Transcript
00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.285
There's only one reason
why the concrete failed.
00:00:06.527 --> 00:00:08.358
[narrator] Four decades
of water damage
00:00:08.433 --> 00:00:11.365
had slowly undermined
the integrity
of the foundations.
00:00:12.527 --> 00:00:15.008
And on August 1st, 1976,
00:00:15.008 --> 00:00:18.205
they were no longer able
to hold the bridge in place
00:00:20.087 --> 00:00:22.205
[Dietmar] There was
a sudden failure,
00:00:22.207 --> 00:00:25.965
a sudden sheer off
of this part
of the foundation.
00:00:27.207 --> 00:00:29.565
[narrator] The self-supporti
design of the bridge,
00:00:29.567 --> 00:00:31.645
meant that when the eastern
foundations failed,
00:00:31.647 --> 00:00:33.245
so did the pylon,
00:00:33.247 --> 00:00:35.765
pulling the rest of the brid
down with it.
00:00:37.967 --> 00:00:41.001
The investigation took
nearly a year to conclude.
00:00:41.003 --> 00:00:43.805
But the final findings
were clear.
00:00:43.088 --> 00:00:45.885
Even the most thorough
examination of the bridge
00:00:45.887 --> 00:00:48.245
would not have prevented
the collapse.
00:00:48.247 --> 00:00:52.165
Since it is not possible
to inspect the concrete
and the pier foundations
00:00:52.167 --> 00:00:53.965
without causing damage,
00:00:54.999 --> 00:00:57.805
it means this catastrophe
was unforeseeable.
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Movie Summary
With access to all phases of design and a large cast of experts, some of the great failures of engineering history are uncovered.
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