Engineering Catastrophes - Season 6

A deadly explosion strikes at the heart of the small Texas town of West and leaves the community in ruins; experts use the latest science to investigate and uncover a nearby fertilizer plant containing volatile chemicals poised for disaster.

Catastrophe struck Miami, Fla., as the Marlborough House, a 13-story condominium tower built in 1961, collapsed with deadly debris in 2018; experts use the latest science to investigate and uncover an uncontrolled method of demolition that led to catastrophic failure.

The construction of a new parking garage in 2007 at a luxury waterside condo turns disastrous as it collapses in Jacksonville, Florida; experts use the latest tech to investigate and uncover critical design flaws and unsupported lower levels.

A routine inspection in 2021 discovered a crack in a steel support beam on the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge (aka the Hernando DeSoto Bridge). The vital crossing was in danger of imminent collapse in Memphis, Tennessee. Experts used the latest science to investigate and uncover why severely compromised load-bearing tension members developed life-threatening weaknesses.

A deadly explosion strikes a major crude oil port creating an inferno of epic proportions in Corpus Christi, Texas; experts use the latest science to investigate and uncover a failed dredging operation that ruptured a propane pipeline on Aug 21, 2020.

New York City residents get a rude awakening when a disastrous crane collapse causes chaos on the downtown streets of Manhattan; experts use the latest tech to investigate and reveal how a slight increase in wind conditions created a major catastrophe.

A catastrophic fire at a fertilizer plant in 2022 threatens city-wide devastation in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Experts use the latest science to investigate an outdated, wooden storage facility heavily stocked with volatile, explosive chemicals - ammonium nitrate and propane.

Tragedy struck the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand, on Madras Street. On February 22, 2011, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake collapsed a six-story office building full of people, killing 115. This aftershock followed a magnitude 7.1 earthquake on September 4, 2010. Experts investigated an inadequate structural design and weakness in critical supporting columns.

A perfect storm with tragic consequences struck in 1995 as flood waters in Arroyo Pasajero creek ripped away a double-span highway bridge on Interstate 5 in Huron, California. Seven people died as their cars fell into floodwaters. Experts use the latest tech to investigate and reveal bridge scouring with unsupported concrete columns exposed for failure. 

A devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake lasting 15 seconds wreaked havoc on the iconic San Francisco Bay Bridge and left drivers fearing for their lives in 1989. Experts used the latest science to investigate and uncover a weakened expansion joint caused by catastrophic shockwaves.