How one design flaw almost toppled a skyscraper - Alex Gendler
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Diane Hartley discovered a critical flaw in the Citicorp Center's design, which could lead to the tower toppling in strong winds due to weaker bolted joints. A secret reinforcement project in 1978 successfully strengthened the building's structure, preventing a potential disaster that was only made public in 1995.
Insights
- The Citicorp Center's design flaw, discovered by Diane Hartley, could have caused the skyscraper to collapse in winds as low as 112 kilometers per hour due to weakened bolted joints, highlighting a critical oversight in the building's safety calculations.
- A secret reinforcement project led by LeMessurier's team in 1978 effectively strengthened the building's joints, preventing a potential disaster during Hurricane Ella and showcasing the importance of swift and discreet action in addressing structural vulnerabilities.
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Recent questions
What critical mistake was discovered in the design of the Citicorp Center?
Diane Hartley discovered a flaw in the building's design, where welded joints were replaced with weaker bolted joints, making it vulnerable to winds if the power failed.
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