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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,275 Narrator: the empire state Building in new york -- 2 00:00:06,310 --> 00:00:09,689 The world's most Famous skyscraper, 3 00:00:09,724 --> 00:00:13,413 A spectacular icon Of american engineering... 4 00:00:13,448 --> 00:00:14,793 It's amazing what they got done 5 00:00:14,827 --> 00:00:19,000 With the tools They had to work with. 6 00:00:19,034 --> 00:00:22,413 Narrator: ...Upheld by many as The eighth wonder of the world. 7 00:00:22,448 --> 00:00:25,344 ♪♪ 8 00:00:25,379 --> 00:00:28,517 Today, investigators Explore the secret history 9 00:00:28,551 --> 00:00:31,896 That hides behind Its gleaming facade. 10 00:00:31,931 --> 00:00:34,517 Why is this skyscraper's mast Never used 11 00:00:34,551 --> 00:00:37,965 For its original purpose As an airship station? 12 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,413 We're seeing Very violent motions. 13 00:00:40,448 --> 00:00:43,068 Narrator: and how does it Survive the unforeseen impact 14 00:00:43,103 --> 00:00:45,206 Of an aircraft? 15 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:47,965 The forces that are created By this sort of an impact 16 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:49,758 Are immense. 17 00:00:49,793 --> 00:00:53,000 Narrator: To solve these mysteries, 18 00:00:53,034 --> 00:00:55,448 We'll break apart The empire state building's 19 00:00:55,482 --> 00:00:57,620 Limestone walls, 20 00:00:57,655 --> 00:00:59,517 Uncover the Incredible engineering 21 00:00:59,551 --> 00:01:02,724 That supports This super tall skyscraper, 22 00:01:02,758 --> 00:01:04,517 And reveal the secret stories 23 00:01:04,551 --> 00:01:07,344 Hidden within This iconic building. 24 00:01:07,379 --> 00:01:11,172 ♪♪ 25 00:01:11,206 --> 00:01:14,172 --captions by vitac-- Www.Vitac.Com 26 00:01:14,206 --> 00:01:17,172 Captions paid for by Discovery communications 27 00:01:17,206 --> 00:01:20,275 ♪♪ 28 00:01:20,310 --> 00:01:25,103 In the heart of manhattan Stands an american icon -- 29 00:01:25,137 --> 00:01:27,344 The empire state building, 30 00:01:27,379 --> 00:01:31,793 An engineering wonder Of the modern world. 31 00:01:31,827 --> 00:01:34,137 When it opens in 1931, 32 00:01:34,172 --> 00:01:37,689 It's the tallest building On the planet, 33 00:01:37,724 --> 00:01:40,724 A title it holds For more than 40 years. 34 00:01:40,758 --> 00:01:43,068 ♪♪ 35 00:01:43,103 --> 00:01:48,482 Today, its sky-piercing outline Is familiar to to billions. 36 00:01:48,517 --> 00:01:50,172 But there are Mysteries concealed 37 00:01:50,206 --> 00:01:52,103 Within this megastructure. 38 00:01:52,137 --> 00:01:56,034 ♪♪ 39 00:01:56,068 --> 00:01:59,137 Its skin is a wall Of 200,000 cubic feet 40 00:01:59,172 --> 00:02:01,793 Of limestone and granite blocks 41 00:02:01,827 --> 00:02:04,965 And more than 6,500 windows. 42 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:08,103 ♪♪ 43 00:02:08,137 --> 00:02:13,310 Inside, 60,000 tons of steel Form a rock-solid backbone 44 00:02:13,344 --> 00:02:17,793 Held together by 100,000 rivets. 45 00:02:17,827 --> 00:02:23,517 73 elevators speed through A combined 7 miles of shafts, 46 00:02:23,551 --> 00:02:26,724 Rising 1,250 feet. 47 00:02:26,758 --> 00:02:29,241 The empire state building Is the first skyscraper 48 00:02:29,275 --> 00:02:31,551 To top 100 stories. 49 00:02:31,586 --> 00:02:33,655 ♪♪ 50 00:02:33,689 --> 00:02:35,448 What does its Record-breaking height 51 00:02:35,482 --> 00:02:37,896 Reveal about Its forgotten history? 52 00:02:37,931 --> 00:02:40,172 ♪♪ 53 00:02:40,206 --> 00:02:42,172 New york engineer don friedman 54 00:02:42,206 --> 00:02:46,310 Restores and rebuilds some Of america's oldest structures. 55 00:02:46,344 --> 00:02:50,310 ♪♪ 56 00:02:50,344 --> 00:02:52,517 Friedman: We're in herald square, Which is one of the busiest 57 00:02:52,551 --> 00:02:54,620 And most crowded parts Of the city, 58 00:02:54,655 --> 00:02:55,896 And there's The empire state building 59 00:02:55,931 --> 00:02:57,827 In front of us at fifth avenue. 60 00:02:57,862 --> 00:03:00,172 ♪♪ 61 00:03:00,206 --> 00:03:02,448 Narrator: don believes The empire state building's 62 00:03:02,482 --> 00:03:07,103 Distinctive spire sets it apart In the city's crowded skyline. 63 00:03:07,137 --> 00:03:09,931 With that, you go, "Oh. That's the empire state." 64 00:03:09,965 --> 00:03:14,482 Narrator: but this mast Also hides a secret. 65 00:03:14,517 --> 00:03:17,620 In 1929, the architects Set out to construct 66 00:03:17,655 --> 00:03:19,827 A very different building. 67 00:03:19,862 --> 00:03:21,379 Friedman: This is an early drawing. 68 00:03:21,413 --> 00:03:23,551 There's one thing missing here, Which is the spire, 69 00:03:23,586 --> 00:03:25,206 Because this drawing was created 70 00:03:25,241 --> 00:03:28,482 Before the spire Was added to the building. 71 00:03:28,517 --> 00:03:31,103 Narrator: the blueprints reveal That empire state building's 72 00:03:31,137 --> 00:03:35,137 Elaborate spire Is a very late addition. 73 00:03:35,172 --> 00:03:37,310 Engineers shoehorned it Into the design 74 00:03:37,344 --> 00:03:41,344 Only after construction starts. 75 00:03:41,379 --> 00:03:42,862 Why add extra height 76 00:03:42,896 --> 00:03:45,620 To an already Record-breaking building? 77 00:03:45,655 --> 00:03:50,931 ♪♪ 78 00:03:50,965 --> 00:03:55,896 In 1950, the steel-and-glass Spire starts taking shape. 79 00:03:55,931 --> 00:03:58,896 ♪♪ 80 00:03:58,931 --> 00:04:01,896 At the top, on floor 102, 81 00:04:01,931 --> 00:04:05,137 An observation deck Offers breathtaking views. 82 00:04:09,827 --> 00:04:13,862 One floor above Is a strange balcony, 83 00:04:13,896 --> 00:04:16,448 With a knee-high wall As the only barrier 84 00:04:16,482 --> 00:04:20,206 To a 1,250-foot drop. 85 00:04:20,241 --> 00:04:23,758 The architects declare that this Is for giant airships to dock 86 00:04:23,793 --> 00:04:28,448 And unload passengers directly Into the empire state building. 87 00:04:28,482 --> 00:04:31,206 But is this the real reason For the spire? 88 00:04:31,241 --> 00:04:33,758 ♪♪ 89 00:04:33,793 --> 00:04:37,586 In the early 1930s, docking And airship with a skyscraper 90 00:04:37,620 --> 00:04:40,275 Is a radical new idea. 91 00:04:40,310 --> 00:04:42,310 Airships don't need runways. 92 00:04:42,344 --> 00:04:46,206 They attach to towers Or masts using ropes. 93 00:04:46,241 --> 00:04:49,000 Forward-thinking building Designers place mooring points 94 00:04:49,034 --> 00:04:50,620 On the top of their buildings 95 00:04:50,655 --> 00:04:54,551 In preparation for a future Of airship-filled skies. 96 00:04:54,586 --> 00:04:58,034 ♪♪ 97 00:04:58,068 --> 00:05:00,896 In 1931, airships try to dock 98 00:05:00,931 --> 00:05:04,482 At the empire state Building's spire. 99 00:05:04,517 --> 00:05:07,793 It's such a jaw-dropping site, Crowds block the sidewalks 100 00:05:07,827 --> 00:05:11,000 And the busy streets below. 101 00:05:11,034 --> 00:05:13,793 One airship clings on For 3 minutes. 102 00:05:13,827 --> 00:05:16,724 Another drops a bundle Of newspapers. 103 00:05:16,758 --> 00:05:18,517 No passengers disembark, 104 00:05:18,551 --> 00:05:22,241 And this achievement Is never replicated. 105 00:05:22,275 --> 00:05:24,724 Why is this airship The only one to dock 106 00:05:24,758 --> 00:05:28,482 At the empire state building? 107 00:05:28,517 --> 00:05:30,931 Civil engineer Maarten van reeuwijk 108 00:05:30,965 --> 00:05:33,965 Thinks he knows the answer. 109 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,103 He's investigating The empire state building's 110 00:05:36,137 --> 00:05:39,551 Forgotten airship port. 111 00:05:39,586 --> 00:05:43,758 He's recreating the conditions Faced by the docking airship 112 00:05:43,793 --> 00:05:48,275 In this wind tunnel At imperial college london. 113 00:05:48,310 --> 00:05:51,931 Maarten wants to find out if an Airship could offload passengers 114 00:05:51,965 --> 00:05:55,862 At the top of the world's Tallest building. 115 00:05:55,896 --> 00:05:59,896 What I have here is a balloon, Which is filled with helium, 116 00:05:59,931 --> 00:06:02,827 And this is going to be A very rough approximation 117 00:06:02,862 --> 00:06:04,586 To the airship, And what I'm going to do is, 118 00:06:04,620 --> 00:06:07,068 I'm going to moor this airship 119 00:06:07,103 --> 00:06:11,275 On the top of the building Right here. 120 00:06:11,310 --> 00:06:13,758 Narrator: first, The tunnel's fans start up. 121 00:06:13,793 --> 00:06:16,034 ♪♪ 122 00:06:16,068 --> 00:06:19,000 Maarten adds smoke to track Where the wind goes. 123 00:06:19,034 --> 00:06:21,034 ♪♪ 124 00:06:21,068 --> 00:06:25,310 So here, you can see the flow As it goes around this airship. 125 00:06:25,344 --> 00:06:27,206 Narrator: the wind that hits The top of the building 126 00:06:27,241 --> 00:06:30,482 Must go somewhere. 127 00:06:30,517 --> 00:06:33,310 It deflects to The building's sides, 128 00:06:33,344 --> 00:06:36,103 But it also goes up. 129 00:06:36,137 --> 00:06:40,103 You see that this highly Unsteady flow in the wake 130 00:06:40,137 --> 00:06:45,137 Causes huge response From our airship. 131 00:06:45,172 --> 00:06:47,931 Narrator: the airship And all its furniture, luggage, 132 00:06:47,965 --> 00:06:51,862 And passengers would be Hurled around inside. 133 00:06:51,896 --> 00:06:54,586 Van reeuwijk: we're seeing very Violent motions of the airship. 134 00:06:54,620 --> 00:06:57,620 Full-scale, these would be Ups and downs of the airship 135 00:06:57,655 --> 00:06:59,344 Of 10, 20 meters. 136 00:06:59,379 --> 00:07:03,448 This would be hugely dangerous. 137 00:07:03,482 --> 00:07:07,931 Narrator: Mooring an airship to a high Mast takes considerable skill. 138 00:07:07,965 --> 00:07:12,620 Even at ground level, it can Be a treacherous maneuver. 139 00:07:12,655 --> 00:07:15,551 This is the uss los angeles. 140 00:07:15,586 --> 00:07:20,413 In 1926, a shift in temperature At ground level causes warm air 141 00:07:20,448 --> 00:07:24,172 To flip the airship Vertically on its moorings. 142 00:07:24,206 --> 00:07:26,758 Luckily, no one is onboard. 143 00:07:26,793 --> 00:07:30,827 It's not the greatest of ideas To try to moor an airship 144 00:07:30,862 --> 00:07:33,655 On a building like The empire state building. 145 00:07:33,689 --> 00:07:38,310 ♪♪ 146 00:07:38,344 --> 00:07:41,724 Narrator: tall structures Like skyscrapers 147 00:07:41,758 --> 00:07:46,000 Generate strong updrafts of wind And unpredictable gusts. 148 00:07:46,034 --> 00:07:48,793 ♪♪ 149 00:07:48,827 --> 00:07:53,689 To stop moored airships From tipping up in the updrafts, 150 00:07:53,724 --> 00:07:57,068 They need a second tether To hold their tails in place. 151 00:07:57,103 --> 00:07:59,931 ♪♪ 152 00:07:59,965 --> 00:08:01,931 The tail tether can rotate, 153 00:08:01,965 --> 00:08:06,448 Allowing the airship to align With gusting winds. 154 00:08:06,482 --> 00:08:11,103 But the empire state building Doesn't have this mechanism. 155 00:08:11,137 --> 00:08:15,310 Any airship can only moor For a few minutes 156 00:08:15,344 --> 00:08:18,689 Or drop a bundle of newspapers Before moving on. 157 00:08:18,724 --> 00:08:22,310 ♪♪ 158 00:08:22,344 --> 00:08:26,586 Tethered precariously just To the mast of the skyscraper, 159 00:08:26,620 --> 00:08:30,862 This is all they can Safely achieve. 160 00:08:30,896 --> 00:08:34,620 In 1931, the world's Top airship captain, 161 00:08:34,655 --> 00:08:38,862 Germany's hugo eckener, Visits new york. 162 00:08:38,896 --> 00:08:41,931 He concludes that any attempt To drop off passengers 163 00:08:41,965 --> 00:08:46,620 At the empire state building Would end in disaster. 164 00:08:46,655 --> 00:08:50,344 A few years later, the explosion Of the nazi airship hindenburg 165 00:08:50,379 --> 00:08:52,206 Underlines the dangers. 166 00:08:52,241 --> 00:08:54,275 ♪♪ 167 00:08:54,310 --> 00:08:57,413 Man: the world's largest And most luxurious airship, 168 00:08:57,448 --> 00:08:58,793 The hindenburg, 169 00:08:58,827 --> 00:09:01,068 Burns in a disaster.[ crowd screaming ] 170 00:09:01,103 --> 00:09:06,103 This tragedy dramatically ends A future era of airship travel. 171 00:09:06,137 --> 00:09:09,689 ♪♪ 172 00:09:09,724 --> 00:09:12,000 Narrator: don believes The real reason for the mast 173 00:09:12,034 --> 00:09:16,482 Lies with an intense rivalry That grips the city. 174 00:09:16,517 --> 00:09:17,689 People were building taller 175 00:09:17,724 --> 00:09:19,310 And taller buildings In new york. 176 00:09:19,344 --> 00:09:21,241 Chrysler building was the Tallest building in the world 177 00:09:21,275 --> 00:09:22,931 For about a year. 178 00:09:22,965 --> 00:09:25,172 By adding the spire onto The empire state building, 179 00:09:25,206 --> 00:09:29,068 It went up about Another 15 stories in height. 180 00:09:29,103 --> 00:09:31,517 Narrator: the spire allows The empire state building 181 00:09:31,551 --> 00:09:33,620 To soar above its rivals, 182 00:09:33,655 --> 00:09:37,827 And it protects its title Far into the future. 183 00:09:37,862 --> 00:09:39,379 Friedman: Any publicity will help, 184 00:09:39,413 --> 00:09:41,206 And constructing the tallest Building in the world 185 00:09:41,241 --> 00:09:43,689 Is one way to get A lot of free publicity. 186 00:09:43,724 --> 00:09:47,448 ♪♪ 187 00:09:47,482 --> 00:09:49,379 Narrator: The plans for an airship station 188 00:09:49,413 --> 00:09:51,689 Might have been unrealistic, 189 00:09:51,724 --> 00:09:56,620 But the empire state building is Still a revolutionary structure. 190 00:09:56,655 --> 00:10:02,137 For a building to climb 1,200 Feet tall today is astonishing. 191 00:10:02,172 --> 00:10:05,620 To reach such heights 90 years ago 192 00:10:05,655 --> 00:10:10,068 In the middle of the great Depression is truly incredible. 193 00:10:10,103 --> 00:10:12,034 How do the empire State's engineers 194 00:10:12,068 --> 00:10:16,137 Achieve this seemingly Impossible feat 195 00:10:16,172 --> 00:10:21,068 And successfully support the Massive, 365,000-ton building? 196 00:10:29,724 --> 00:10:31,793 Narrator: The empire state building -- 197 00:10:31,827 --> 00:10:35,482 The world's most Iconic skyscraper. 198 00:10:35,517 --> 00:10:40,413 For 90 years, it's been towering Over the streets of manhattan. 199 00:10:40,448 --> 00:10:43,344 It's a true Skyscraping colossus, 200 00:10:43,379 --> 00:10:47,586 Weighing in at 365,000 tons. 201 00:10:47,620 --> 00:10:49,586 Why does this Stone-and-steel monster 202 00:10:49,620 --> 00:10:52,931 Not sink into the ground? 203 00:10:52,965 --> 00:10:54,206 The empire state building 204 00:10:54,241 --> 00:10:57,206 Is actually a slender Stepped pyramid, 205 00:10:57,241 --> 00:10:59,931 Widening towards the bottom. 206 00:10:59,965 --> 00:11:03,344 This ingenious shape spreads The weight of the tower 207 00:11:03,379 --> 00:11:06,206 Across more than 80,000 square feet. 208 00:11:06,241 --> 00:11:10,448 ♪♪ 209 00:11:10,482 --> 00:11:14,344 Beneath the surface, Sturdy steel columns 210 00:11:14,379 --> 00:11:18,655 Firmly lock into huge foundation Shafts of solid concrete. 211 00:11:18,689 --> 00:11:21,310 ♪♪ 212 00:11:21,344 --> 00:11:24,000 This base is just Three stories deep, 213 00:11:24,034 --> 00:11:26,931 52 feet, 214 00:11:26,965 --> 00:11:29,896 A fraction of the tower's Total height. 215 00:11:29,931 --> 00:11:34,137 How can such shallow foundations Support such a massive building? 216 00:11:34,172 --> 00:11:38,172 ♪♪ 217 00:11:38,206 --> 00:11:40,448 Geotechnical engineer Andrew klaetsch 218 00:11:40,482 --> 00:11:43,689 Thinks the secret Lies deep under new york city. 219 00:11:43,724 --> 00:11:46,344 ♪♪ 220 00:11:46,379 --> 00:11:47,724 He's at a construction site 221 00:11:47,758 --> 00:11:50,827 For manhattan's newest Supertall skyscraper. 222 00:11:50,862 --> 00:11:55,103 They are excavating right now To build their foundations. 223 00:11:55,137 --> 00:11:58,137 Narrator: Andrew only has to descend 10 feet below street level 224 00:11:58,172 --> 00:12:02,034 To hit the city's bedrock. 225 00:12:02,068 --> 00:12:05,931 And right here is the very Surface of the bedrock today, 226 00:12:05,965 --> 00:12:09,758 Right below 32nd street. 227 00:12:09,793 --> 00:12:11,620 Narrator: The empire state building 228 00:12:11,655 --> 00:12:15,965 Weighs 365,000 tons. 229 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:21,827 Similar skyscrapers in london, Tokyo, and chicago 230 00:12:21,862 --> 00:12:25,689 Have foundations That are twice as deep, 231 00:12:25,724 --> 00:12:29,137 But new york stands On firmer ground. 232 00:12:29,172 --> 00:12:31,620 Well, what you see here Is this rock 233 00:12:31,655 --> 00:12:33,862 That was once buried At great depth 234 00:12:33,896 --> 00:12:36,379 And formed under Enormous pressure. 235 00:12:36,413 --> 00:12:39,827 ♪♪ 236 00:12:39,862 --> 00:12:44,310 Narrator: This gray rock is called schist. 237 00:12:44,344 --> 00:12:46,413 It reflects the light. 238 00:12:46,448 --> 00:12:48,517 Klaetsch: It actually looks like glitter, 239 00:12:48,551 --> 00:12:53,172 And that is the mica minerals In the manhattan schist. 240 00:12:53,206 --> 00:12:56,034 ♪♪ 241 00:12:56,068 --> 00:13:00,034 Narrator: manhattan schist forms 450 million years ago 242 00:13:00,068 --> 00:13:03,172 When two continental Plates collide, 243 00:13:03,206 --> 00:13:05,413 Pushing up vast mountain ranges. 244 00:13:05,448 --> 00:13:07,551 ♪♪ 245 00:13:07,586 --> 00:13:09,103 Over millions of years, 246 00:13:09,137 --> 00:13:11,655 The rocks on the surface Wear away, 247 00:13:11,689 --> 00:13:15,034 Exposing incredible, strong Cores of compressed schist 248 00:13:15,068 --> 00:13:17,206 That manhattan stands on today. 249 00:13:17,241 --> 00:13:19,310 ♪♪ 250 00:13:19,344 --> 00:13:22,931 To find out how strong This manhattan rock is, 251 00:13:22,965 --> 00:13:26,137 Andrew takes a sample To his lab. 252 00:13:26,172 --> 00:13:28,551 He uses a compression machine To investigate 253 00:13:28,586 --> 00:13:31,241 How much pressure This stone can withstand. 254 00:13:31,275 --> 00:13:33,827 ♪♪ 255 00:13:33,862 --> 00:13:35,241 Much stronger. 256 00:13:35,275 --> 00:13:38,931 Andrew's colleague lysandra Applies increasing pressure 257 00:13:38,965 --> 00:13:41,862 To this 2-inch-thick Manhattan schist. 258 00:13:41,896 --> 00:13:44,172 This is the load As it increases with time, 259 00:13:44,206 --> 00:13:47,482 We're only up to Just over 40,000 pounds. 260 00:13:47,517 --> 00:13:49,586 The sample Is holding strong. 261 00:13:49,620 --> 00:13:51,551 Almost 60,000 pounds. 262 00:13:56,172 --> 00:13:58,413 [ boom ]Whoa. 263 00:13:58,448 --> 00:13:59,586 [ laughs ] 264 00:13:59,620 --> 00:14:01,931 That was pretty good, Pretty explosive. 265 00:14:01,965 --> 00:14:04,758 So you can see, it shattered Into many pieces. 266 00:14:04,793 --> 00:14:08,896 ♪♪ 267 00:14:08,931 --> 00:14:10,965 This manhattan schist Can withstand 268 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:15,965 A staggering 75,000 pounds Of pressure per square inch. 269 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,206 That's over 100 times More pressure 270 00:14:18,241 --> 00:14:22,310 Than is required for a structure Like the empire state building. 271 00:14:22,344 --> 00:14:24,137 It's exceptionally strong. 272 00:14:24,172 --> 00:14:28,206 It's significantly higher Than any sort of pressure 273 00:14:28,241 --> 00:14:31,482 That we'd be looking at in terms Of building foundations. 274 00:14:31,517 --> 00:14:34,758 ♪♪ 275 00:14:34,793 --> 00:14:38,241 Narrator: This incredibly tough schist Means the empire state building 276 00:14:38,275 --> 00:14:42,172 Can be firmly anchored In just a few feet of bedrock, 277 00:14:42,206 --> 00:14:44,862 But it also presents a problem. 278 00:14:44,896 --> 00:14:47,689 It takes months to excavate Enough of the tough rock 279 00:14:47,724 --> 00:14:51,172 To anchor just A shallow foundation. 280 00:14:51,206 --> 00:14:53,379 Construction starts Almost immediately 281 00:14:53,413 --> 00:14:57,137 After the wall street crash Of 1929. 282 00:14:57,172 --> 00:15:01,448 Money's tight, and time spent Digging schist means more cost. 283 00:15:01,482 --> 00:15:03,517 ♪♪ 284 00:15:03,551 --> 00:15:06,206 Fortunately, the architects find That someone else 285 00:15:06,241 --> 00:15:08,413 Has already done The job for them. 286 00:15:08,448 --> 00:15:11,517 ♪♪ 287 00:15:11,551 --> 00:15:15,137 As builders demolish The old waldorf astoria hotel 288 00:15:15,172 --> 00:15:17,551 That stands on the chosen site, 289 00:15:17,586 --> 00:15:21,034 They uncover foundations Already 40 feet deep. 290 00:15:21,068 --> 00:15:23,034 ♪♪ 291 00:15:23,068 --> 00:15:26,758 So they must only drive Their piles 15 feet deeper 292 00:15:26,793 --> 00:15:28,689 To securely anchor The metal skeleton 293 00:15:28,724 --> 00:15:30,413 Of the empire state building. 294 00:15:30,448 --> 00:15:33,413 ♪♪ 295 00:15:33,448 --> 00:15:36,172 These preexisting foundations Save dollars 296 00:15:36,206 --> 00:15:38,620 And give the builders A flying start. 297 00:15:38,655 --> 00:15:40,793 ♪♪ 298 00:15:40,827 --> 00:15:43,103 Once the construction Reaches ground level, 299 00:15:43,137 --> 00:15:45,724 The entire structure Goes from start to finish 300 00:15:45,758 --> 00:15:48,137 In just 7 months. 301 00:15:48,172 --> 00:15:50,517 It's an astonishing achievement. 302 00:15:50,551 --> 00:15:52,379 How is this Record-breaking structure 303 00:15:52,413 --> 00:15:56,137 Built at such great speed And why? 304 00:16:07,482 --> 00:16:10,034 Narrator: in 1930, Construction workers finish 305 00:16:10,068 --> 00:16:12,206 The three-story-deep foundations 306 00:16:12,241 --> 00:16:15,482 Of the new empire State building. 307 00:16:15,517 --> 00:16:18,000 With a head start From existing foundations, 308 00:16:18,034 --> 00:16:21,793 It takes them 6 months To get this far, 309 00:16:21,827 --> 00:16:24,517 But the hard part Is only just beginning. 310 00:16:24,551 --> 00:16:28,896 They now have to construct The tallest building in history, 311 00:16:28,931 --> 00:16:32,172 And the longer it takes, The more money it will cost. 312 00:16:32,206 --> 00:16:34,172 ♪♪ 313 00:16:34,206 --> 00:16:36,379 The steel frame Is the key innovation 314 00:16:36,413 --> 00:16:39,034 Of the skyscraper age. 315 00:16:39,068 --> 00:16:41,172 It allows the empire State building's team 316 00:16:41,206 --> 00:16:44,551 To build At death-defying heights. 317 00:16:44,586 --> 00:16:46,655 But the breakneck speed Of the construction 318 00:16:46,689 --> 00:16:49,724 Is due to another miracle Of modern engineering. 319 00:16:49,758 --> 00:16:54,310 ♪♪ 320 00:16:54,344 --> 00:16:57,068 "I"-shaped steel beams Form the skeleton 321 00:16:57,103 --> 00:17:00,275 Of the entire tower. 322 00:17:00,310 --> 00:17:02,862 Thousands of rivets Bolt them together... 323 00:17:02,896 --> 00:17:07,206 ♪♪ 324 00:17:07,241 --> 00:17:09,689 ...Creating a massive Three-dimensional frame 325 00:17:09,724 --> 00:17:11,379 Of steel boxes. 326 00:17:11,413 --> 00:17:13,586 ♪♪ 327 00:17:13,620 --> 00:17:16,275 The builders simply hang The stone facade 328 00:17:16,310 --> 00:17:18,931 Onto the outside like a curtain. 329 00:17:18,965 --> 00:17:21,896 ♪♪ 330 00:17:21,931 --> 00:17:23,379 They repeat the same pattern 331 00:17:23,413 --> 00:17:26,517 For floor after floor After floor. 332 00:17:26,551 --> 00:17:28,758 ♪♪ 333 00:17:28,793 --> 00:17:31,413 Building nearly a story a day, 334 00:17:31,448 --> 00:17:35,172 They take just 7 months To reach 1,250 feet. 335 00:17:35,206 --> 00:17:37,482 ♪♪ 336 00:17:37,517 --> 00:17:38,827 Engineer don friedman 337 00:17:38,862 --> 00:17:41,482 Works with experienced Metalworker rich bauer 338 00:17:41,517 --> 00:17:44,793 At a steel forge in new jersey To explore 339 00:17:44,827 --> 00:17:47,724 How the empire state building's Steel construction kit 340 00:17:47,758 --> 00:17:51,689 Is pieced together On-site so fast. 341 00:17:51,724 --> 00:17:53,655 Well, right now, We're heating up the rivet 342 00:17:53,689 --> 00:17:57,241 And making sure It gets extremely hot. 343 00:17:57,275 --> 00:17:58,931 Narrator: Rich thinks the humble rivet 344 00:17:58,965 --> 00:18:03,586 Is the real hero Of the empire state building. 345 00:18:03,620 --> 00:18:05,103 Bauer: once you send it All the way home 346 00:18:05,137 --> 00:18:06,448 And make the rivet Completely up, 347 00:18:06,482 --> 00:18:07,758 It's not like a nut or a bolt 348 00:18:07,793 --> 00:18:11,379 That's going to loosen up Or rattle over time. 349 00:18:11,413 --> 00:18:12,758 Welds could crack. 350 00:18:12,793 --> 00:18:15,689 Rivets, once they cool off, It contracts. 351 00:18:15,724 --> 00:18:18,068 It makes sure that joint Is completely tight. 352 00:18:18,103 --> 00:18:21,758 ♪♪ 353 00:18:21,793 --> 00:18:25,482 You want a nice, Consistent orange. 354 00:18:25,517 --> 00:18:28,758 Narrator: the rivet comes out Of the furnace red-hot, 355 00:18:28,793 --> 00:18:30,586 But it takes just seconds For the metal 356 00:18:30,620 --> 00:18:33,344 To become too cool to work. 357 00:18:33,379 --> 00:18:35,172 Bauer: I couldn't set this rivet now. 358 00:18:35,206 --> 00:18:36,448 We'd have to throw That rivet out 359 00:18:36,482 --> 00:18:38,586 And start it over And try another rivet. 360 00:18:38,620 --> 00:18:40,241 Narrator: from the furnace In the workshop, 361 00:18:40,275 --> 00:18:43,137 It takes three people To set a single, red-hot rivet 362 00:18:43,172 --> 00:18:45,827 Before it cools. 363 00:18:45,862 --> 00:18:47,758 The construction of The empire state building 364 00:18:47,793 --> 00:18:52,275 Requires an astonishing level Of coordination and teamwork. 365 00:18:52,310 --> 00:18:55,758 It's the first time don has seen This process in action. 366 00:18:55,793 --> 00:18:58,758 Friedman: I've read about it, but it's Something else seeing it. 367 00:18:58,793 --> 00:19:01,137 Installing rivets Requires a team of people 368 00:19:01,172 --> 00:19:03,172 Working together very closely 369 00:19:03,206 --> 00:19:04,517 To make sure That everything happens 370 00:19:04,551 --> 00:19:07,448 Before the rivets cool off. 371 00:19:07,482 --> 00:19:10,068 Narrator: this fast cooling Poses a huge challenge 372 00:19:10,103 --> 00:19:13,517 To workers at the empire State building. 373 00:19:13,551 --> 00:19:15,620 They need more than 100,000 rivets 374 00:19:15,655 --> 00:19:18,655 To hold the steel Girders together. 375 00:19:18,689 --> 00:19:23,206 To heat the rivets, engineers Build furnaces on each floor, 376 00:19:23,241 --> 00:19:28,172 But still, the raw-steel beams Can be more than 35 feet away. 377 00:19:28,206 --> 00:19:31,275 Incredibly, workers Throw the rivets. 378 00:19:31,310 --> 00:19:34,206 ♪♪ 379 00:19:34,241 --> 00:19:36,517 They were trying To throw these rivets 380 00:19:36,551 --> 00:19:39,586 10, 15, 20, 30 feet Up in the air, 381 00:19:39,620 --> 00:19:40,862 And they had to make sure They do this 382 00:19:40,896 --> 00:19:43,724 All before it cooled off. 383 00:19:43,758 --> 00:19:46,448 Narrator: throwing hot rivets Solves a problem, 384 00:19:46,482 --> 00:19:49,482 But it's very dangerous. 385 00:19:49,517 --> 00:19:51,862 It took enough skill to do this, And you think about doing it 386 00:19:51,896 --> 00:19:54,827 In the circumstances of actually Building a high-rise building, 387 00:19:54,862 --> 00:19:57,344 And it's just incredible. 388 00:19:57,379 --> 00:20:00,620 Narrator: Hot riveting is key to The strong and fast construction 389 00:20:00,655 --> 00:20:03,344 Of the empire state building. 390 00:20:03,379 --> 00:20:06,275 It is built like Prefabricated furniture, 391 00:20:06,310 --> 00:20:09,379 A 60,000-ton made-to-order Metal framework 392 00:20:09,413 --> 00:20:12,206 Assembled simply on-site. 393 00:20:12,241 --> 00:20:14,931 And as soon as this Basic framework is complete, 394 00:20:14,965 --> 00:20:17,275 Other teams Can finish each floor. 395 00:20:17,310 --> 00:20:21,034 ♪♪ 396 00:20:21,068 --> 00:20:25,137 Workers fill temporary Wooden floors with concrete 397 00:20:25,172 --> 00:20:27,655 And reinforce them With wire mesh. 398 00:20:27,689 --> 00:20:31,689 ♪♪ 399 00:20:31,724 --> 00:20:36,482 As soon as the floor is set, They lay down railway tracks 400 00:20:36,517 --> 00:20:40,206 To move materials quickly from Elevators to the outer edges. 401 00:20:40,241 --> 00:20:43,413 ♪♪ 402 00:20:43,448 --> 00:20:46,068 Other teams construct Makeshift cafeterias 403 00:20:46,103 --> 00:20:47,793 On the uppermost floors 404 00:20:47,827 --> 00:20:51,068 So builders don't waste time Going to the bottom to eat. 405 00:20:51,103 --> 00:20:53,344 ♪♪ 406 00:20:53,379 --> 00:20:56,862 Finally, workers at the top Simply hang the external walls 407 00:20:56,896 --> 00:20:59,689 On the steel skeleton. 408 00:20:59,724 --> 00:21:04,827 The building soars At a lightning-quick pace. 409 00:21:04,862 --> 00:21:07,862 The empire state building Takes less than 14 months 410 00:21:07,896 --> 00:21:11,655 To build, completing in 1931. 411 00:21:11,689 --> 00:21:13,344 President hoover Turns the lights on 412 00:21:13,379 --> 00:21:16,275 From the white house In a spectacular ceremony. 413 00:21:16,310 --> 00:21:19,172 ♪♪ 414 00:21:19,206 --> 00:21:22,758 But by building higher Than anyone else in history, 415 00:21:22,793 --> 00:21:26,517 The architects face A new problem -- 416 00:21:26,551 --> 00:21:28,586 Hurricanes. 417 00:21:28,620 --> 00:21:31,034 The empire state building Will soon be tested 418 00:21:31,068 --> 00:21:34,448 By one of the mother nature's Most destructive forces. 419 00:21:44,896 --> 00:21:47,310 Narrator: new york's iconic Empire state building 420 00:21:47,344 --> 00:21:49,448 Towers over manhattan, 421 00:21:49,482 --> 00:21:53,103 Just as it has for 90 years. 422 00:21:53,137 --> 00:21:56,344 These 103 stories of glass, Stone, and steel 423 00:21:56,379 --> 00:22:01,689 Face an invisible And unpredictable threat -- 424 00:22:01,724 --> 00:22:04,034 Hurricane-force winds. 425 00:22:04,068 --> 00:22:07,379 ♪♪ 426 00:22:07,413 --> 00:22:09,206 Research scientist mark arend 427 00:22:09,241 --> 00:22:11,206 Tracks the wind speeds Over manhattan 428 00:22:11,241 --> 00:22:15,551 From the city college Of new york's weather station. 429 00:22:15,586 --> 00:22:18,103 Arend: so, we're on top Of a tall building, 430 00:22:18,137 --> 00:22:21,862 About 5 miles from The empire state building 431 00:22:21,896 --> 00:22:24,551 And midtown manhattan. 432 00:22:24,586 --> 00:22:26,931 Narrator: his research Investigates the wind patterns 433 00:22:26,965 --> 00:22:28,620 Flowing across the city. 434 00:22:28,655 --> 00:22:30,586 ♪♪ 435 00:22:30,620 --> 00:22:33,724 Manhattan, perched By the atlantic coast, 436 00:22:33,758 --> 00:22:37,724 Is exposed to nature's worst. 437 00:22:37,758 --> 00:22:39,379 Arend: there have been A number of hurricanes 438 00:22:39,413 --> 00:22:42,379 That have actually hit manhattan 439 00:22:42,413 --> 00:22:44,586 And caused a lot of damage. 440 00:22:44,620 --> 00:22:49,068 ♪♪ 441 00:22:49,103 --> 00:22:50,896 Narrator: the top of The empire state building 442 00:22:50,931 --> 00:22:55,931 Faces a battering ram Of pressure from all directions. 443 00:22:55,965 --> 00:22:58,482 To understand The threat it faces, 444 00:22:58,517 --> 00:23:04,000 Mark analyzes measurements Recorded over the last 10 years. 445 00:23:04,034 --> 00:23:07,206 We've taken data From various weather stations 446 00:23:07,241 --> 00:23:12,034 That are located on the ground In the new york city metro area. 447 00:23:12,068 --> 00:23:15,586 Up here in central park, 89 miles per hour. 448 00:23:15,620 --> 00:23:19,103 It was a maximum 3-second wind gust. 449 00:23:19,137 --> 00:23:20,758 Down here in Midtown manhattan -- 450 00:23:20,793 --> 00:23:24,137 41 miles per hour. 451 00:23:24,172 --> 00:23:28,310 Narrator: But powerful gusts of wind Are only part of the problem. 452 00:23:28,344 --> 00:23:30,137 In midtown manhattan, 453 00:23:30,172 --> 00:23:34,689 The huge concentration Of tall buildings disrupts wind. 454 00:23:34,724 --> 00:23:39,103 Avenues of skyscrapers Act like vast wind tunnels, 455 00:23:39,137 --> 00:23:43,586 Funneling and amplifying The wind to dangerous speeds. 456 00:23:43,620 --> 00:23:46,034 You have very tall buildings. 457 00:23:46,068 --> 00:23:47,655 That creates a lot of turbulence 458 00:23:47,689 --> 00:23:52,103 And makes the wind Very difficult to measure. 459 00:23:52,137 --> 00:23:53,793 Narrator: how does The empire state building 460 00:23:53,827 --> 00:23:58,241 Stay upright in these Phenomenal wind conditions? 461 00:23:58,275 --> 00:24:02,827 The force of the wind pushing Onto the facade can be immense, 462 00:24:02,862 --> 00:24:05,551 But the rigid stone Stays firm. 463 00:24:05,586 --> 00:24:08,655 It channels The wind energy inside 464 00:24:08,689 --> 00:24:12,034 To the steel frame within. 465 00:24:12,068 --> 00:24:13,655 At its heart is a backbone 466 00:24:13,689 --> 00:24:16,965 Reinforced with diagonal Steel cross braces. 467 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:22,172 ♪♪ 468 00:24:22,206 --> 00:24:25,379 They're encased In solid concrete 469 00:24:25,413 --> 00:24:30,344 That is not only strong But incredibly stiff. 470 00:24:30,379 --> 00:24:34,931 Together, the steel and concrete Form a rock-solid core, 471 00:24:34,965 --> 00:24:39,413 But can this 1930s technology Stop the tower swaying violently 472 00:24:39,448 --> 00:24:42,103 In today's Hurricane-force winds? 473 00:24:42,137 --> 00:24:44,034 ♪♪ 474 00:24:44,068 --> 00:24:46,655 Don friedman examines How new york's skyscrapers 475 00:24:46,689 --> 00:24:50,551 Behave in extreme conditions. 476 00:24:50,586 --> 00:24:53,206 Friedman: There are actually buildings Pretty much all over the place 477 00:24:53,241 --> 00:24:57,896 That are famous for being A little too limber in the wind. 478 00:24:57,931 --> 00:25:00,172 Narrator: a badly designed Skyscraper will result 479 00:25:00,206 --> 00:25:03,517 In disastrous damage And collapse. 480 00:25:03,551 --> 00:25:05,034 Don and his colleague shaquana 481 00:25:05,068 --> 00:25:08,620 Model the empire state Building's inner steel skeleton. 482 00:25:08,655 --> 00:25:11,068 Okay. So, let's take a look At this model. 483 00:25:11,103 --> 00:25:14,827 So we did a comparison of A moving frame of a building. 484 00:25:14,862 --> 00:25:16,896 One is without Any cross bracing. 485 00:25:16,931 --> 00:25:19,551 Narrator: As the wind speed increases, 486 00:25:19,586 --> 00:25:22,068 The model building Starts to move. 487 00:25:22,103 --> 00:25:26,896 Over here on this screen, We have the cross bracing, 488 00:25:26,931 --> 00:25:28,793 Which you can see Is a drastic difference 489 00:25:28,827 --> 00:25:32,068 In how the building Behaves altogether. 490 00:25:32,103 --> 00:25:35,793 Wind clearly affects the two Frames in different ways. 491 00:25:35,827 --> 00:25:37,310 Friedman: What the simple models show 492 00:25:37,344 --> 00:25:39,068 Is that the addition Of cross bracing 493 00:25:39,103 --> 00:25:42,310 Reduces the side sway Under wind load 494 00:25:42,344 --> 00:25:45,482 To about 1/8 Of what it previously was. 495 00:25:45,517 --> 00:25:49,689 And people notice When buildings move too much. 496 00:25:49,724 --> 00:25:53,206 Narrator: cross bracing gives Stability to simple structures 497 00:25:53,241 --> 00:25:56,000 And supertall skyscrapers. 498 00:25:56,034 --> 00:25:59,517 It reduces any sideways Movement dramatically. 499 00:25:59,551 --> 00:26:01,724 This simple But effective engineering 500 00:26:01,758 --> 00:26:03,965 Solves a potentially Catastrophic problem 501 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:06,241 For the empire state building. 502 00:26:06,275 --> 00:26:08,448 The old buildings Were very well-designed, 503 00:26:08,482 --> 00:26:11,034 Even with the more Primitive tools. 504 00:26:11,068 --> 00:26:14,241 Narrator: with access To today's computer models, 505 00:26:14,275 --> 00:26:16,172 The building's engineers Might have found 506 00:26:16,206 --> 00:26:18,103 A very different solution. 507 00:26:18,137 --> 00:26:20,965 ♪♪ 508 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,379 As wind rushes around A skyscraper, 509 00:26:23,413 --> 00:26:27,965 It creates swirling eddies that Push the tower side to side, 510 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,931 Making it sway dangerously. 511 00:26:31,965 --> 00:26:34,000 So modern, supertall skyscrapers 512 00:26:34,034 --> 00:26:37,827 Are designed With ingenious profiles 513 00:26:37,862 --> 00:26:40,620 That disrupt the wind And stop the sway. 514 00:26:40,655 --> 00:26:43,068 ♪♪ 515 00:26:43,103 --> 00:26:44,413 Some buildings, 516 00:26:44,448 --> 00:26:48,103 Like the super skinny Park avenue tower in new york, 517 00:26:48,137 --> 00:26:51,344 Have holes to simply Let the wind pass through. 518 00:26:51,379 --> 00:26:54,068 ♪♪ 519 00:26:54,103 --> 00:26:57,517 Other have mass dampers inside, 520 00:26:57,551 --> 00:27:00,551 Huge traveling weights that Counteract the swaying force 521 00:27:00,586 --> 00:27:02,413 And keep the building steady. 522 00:27:02,448 --> 00:27:05,000 ♪♪ 523 00:27:05,034 --> 00:27:07,655 The empire state building Is a textbook example 524 00:27:07,689 --> 00:27:09,965 Of solid engineering, 525 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:14,172 Built to withstand everything That nature can throw at it. 526 00:27:14,206 --> 00:27:18,965 But in 1945, a totally Unexpected force strikes it, 527 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,655 One engineers couldn't foresee. 528 00:27:32,172 --> 00:27:34,862 Narrator: on july 28, 1945, 529 00:27:34,896 --> 00:27:39,103 Disaster strikes The empire state building. 530 00:27:39,137 --> 00:27:42,827 A b-25 bomber With three crewmen onboard 531 00:27:42,862 --> 00:27:44,620 Is on a routine transport flight 532 00:27:44,655 --> 00:27:48,586 From an army base In massachusetts. 533 00:27:48,620 --> 00:27:50,310 It's flying over manhattan, 534 00:27:50,344 --> 00:27:53,724 Headed for newark airport Just across the city. 535 00:27:53,758 --> 00:27:56,103 The weather is relatively bad. The visibility is poor. 536 00:27:56,137 --> 00:27:58,655 There's fog across manhattan. 537 00:27:58,689 --> 00:28:02,758 Narrator: what happens next Has no warning. 538 00:28:02,793 --> 00:28:05,068 Traveling at over 200 miles an hour, 539 00:28:05,103 --> 00:28:08,206 The bomber flies straight At the empire state building. 540 00:28:08,241 --> 00:28:12,724 ♪♪ 541 00:28:12,758 --> 00:28:15,551 It tears A 250-foot-square-foot hole 542 00:28:15,586 --> 00:28:18,206 In the 79th floor, 543 00:28:18,241 --> 00:28:21,310 Carving a path of destruction, 544 00:28:21,344 --> 00:28:23,275 Starting fires, 545 00:28:23,310 --> 00:28:26,896 And snapping elevator cables. 546 00:28:26,931 --> 00:28:30,793 One engine rips through The entire building 547 00:28:30,827 --> 00:28:33,068 And breaks through The opposite wall. 548 00:28:33,103 --> 00:28:35,241 ♪♪ 549 00:28:35,275 --> 00:28:38,000 The other engine tumbles down An elevator shaft, 550 00:28:38,034 --> 00:28:42,034 Falling 1,000 feet To the subbasement. 551 00:28:42,068 --> 00:28:43,758 How does the empire State building 552 00:28:43,793 --> 00:28:48,310 Survive this Catastrophic accident? 553 00:28:48,344 --> 00:28:49,827 Engineer adrian bruegger 554 00:28:49,862 --> 00:28:53,482 Explores this Engineering mystery. 555 00:28:53,517 --> 00:28:56,827 Bruegger: the bomber pierces Through the facade. 556 00:28:56,862 --> 00:28:58,448 It's an immense impact, 557 00:28:58,482 --> 00:29:01,482 Like getting punched By a sledgehammer. 558 00:29:01,517 --> 00:29:03,586 ♪♪ 559 00:29:03,620 --> 00:29:08,206 Narrator: the b-25 mitchell Bomber is a formidable machine. 560 00:29:08,241 --> 00:29:12,793 It weighs up to 35,000 pounds 561 00:29:12,827 --> 00:29:17,689 And flies at nearly 300 miles per hour. 562 00:29:17,724 --> 00:29:19,000 It strikes the north wall 563 00:29:19,034 --> 00:29:22,241 With an immense Amount of energy. 564 00:29:22,275 --> 00:29:27,206 How is it that people inside the Building survive this disaster? 565 00:29:27,241 --> 00:29:31,275 Steel beams make up the skeleton Of the empire state building. 566 00:29:31,310 --> 00:29:34,965 Adrian wants to test what force Of impact they can withstand. 567 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,517 ♪♪ 568 00:29:37,551 --> 00:29:39,206 Bruegger: What you see here is a beam 569 00:29:39,241 --> 00:29:42,000 Like you would find In the floor joists 570 00:29:42,034 --> 00:29:45,103 Or the floor beams Of the empire state building, 571 00:29:45,137 --> 00:29:47,103 And it would hold up the floors. 572 00:29:47,137 --> 00:29:49,448 What we will see is How much ductility, 573 00:29:49,482 --> 00:29:51,241 How much ability this steel has 574 00:29:51,275 --> 00:29:54,000 To actually deform Before it breaks. 575 00:29:54,034 --> 00:29:57,517 Narrator: adrian applies 3 tons Of force to the steel beam. 576 00:29:57,551 --> 00:30:01,827 ♪♪ 577 00:30:01,862 --> 00:30:04,034 Bruegger: so now we are Pushing on the beam still, 578 00:30:04,068 --> 00:30:08,206 And you can see that It's deflecting very heavily. 579 00:30:08,241 --> 00:30:10,862 [ metal creaks ] 580 00:30:10,896 --> 00:30:13,551 Something moved a little? 581 00:30:13,586 --> 00:30:15,965 But we're okay. We can keep going. 582 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:19,793 Narrator: as adrian increases The weight load to 3.9 tons, 583 00:30:19,827 --> 00:30:23,551 The steel beam Is still holding strong. 584 00:30:23,586 --> 00:30:25,862 Bruegger: so you can see, This is absolutely amazing. 585 00:30:25,896 --> 00:30:29,206 The beam is completely Deformed in the middle, 586 00:30:29,241 --> 00:30:32,586 But it's still holding almost 4 tons of spring energy. 587 00:30:32,620 --> 00:30:33,758 It looks like it failed, 588 00:30:33,793 --> 00:30:37,206 But it's actually Still doing its work. 589 00:30:37,241 --> 00:30:40,310 Narrator: this steel has An incredible ductility. 590 00:30:40,344 --> 00:30:43,862 It can bend in half Before it snaps. 591 00:30:43,896 --> 00:30:47,689 A photo of the impact The b-25 makes on the building 592 00:30:47,724 --> 00:30:50,482 Proves the incredible strength Of the beams. 593 00:30:50,517 --> 00:30:52,517 ♪♪ 594 00:30:52,551 --> 00:30:54,931 Bruegger: Here, you can see these beams 595 00:30:54,965 --> 00:30:56,896 Look very much like What we have here. 596 00:30:56,931 --> 00:30:57,965 They're mangled. 597 00:30:58,000 --> 00:30:59,655 They're twisted, But they're not broken, 598 00:30:59,689 --> 00:31:01,448 And that's important. They're not fractured, 599 00:31:01,482 --> 00:31:04,344 So they stayed in place, And that's key. 600 00:31:04,379 --> 00:31:08,379 Narrator: the steel beams Are bent, not broken. 601 00:31:08,413 --> 00:31:10,482 The structure survives The main force 602 00:31:10,517 --> 00:31:14,103 Of the initial impact. 603 00:31:14,137 --> 00:31:16,172 Many escape. 604 00:31:16,206 --> 00:31:20,689 Others are rescued By first responders. 605 00:31:20,724 --> 00:31:23,655 14 people die In the tragic accident. 606 00:31:23,689 --> 00:31:27,137 [ indistinct conversations ] 607 00:31:27,172 --> 00:31:30,620 But there is a miraculous Survival story. 608 00:31:30,655 --> 00:31:34,275 Astonishingly, the structure Saves someone's life. 609 00:31:34,310 --> 00:31:36,241 ♪♪ 610 00:31:36,275 --> 00:31:37,517 [ elevator bell dings ] 611 00:31:37,551 --> 00:31:42,172 20-year-old betty lou oliver Is an elevator operator. 612 00:31:42,206 --> 00:31:44,310 She's blasted Out of her elevator car 613 00:31:44,344 --> 00:31:48,482 On the 80th floor When the plane hits. 614 00:31:48,517 --> 00:31:52,655 Onlookers hurry her into another Car to get her to safety. 615 00:31:52,689 --> 00:31:56,482 But as the doors close, The cable snaps, 616 00:31:56,517 --> 00:31:59,482 And the car instantly drops. 617 00:31:59,517 --> 00:32:01,896 As betty lou's car Picks up speed, 618 00:32:01,931 --> 00:32:04,827 The emergency brakes fail. 619 00:32:04,862 --> 00:32:07,172 But trapped air Compresses in the shaft, 620 00:32:07,206 --> 00:32:09,620 Slowing her fall. 621 00:32:09,655 --> 00:32:11,000 And at the bottom, 622 00:32:11,034 --> 00:32:15,517 The severed cable forms a coil That cushions the impact. 623 00:32:15,551 --> 00:32:17,896 Miraculously, betty lou survives 624 00:32:17,931 --> 00:32:21,827 Falling 1,000 feet. 625 00:32:21,862 --> 00:32:25,689 The empire state building Survives the plane crash, too. 626 00:32:25,724 --> 00:32:29,344 But the moment of impact causes Another potential lethal risk 627 00:32:29,379 --> 00:32:33,482 To the structure And life inside. 628 00:32:33,517 --> 00:32:38,103 The plane's fuel Ignites disastrously. 629 00:32:38,137 --> 00:32:41,137 Man: These exclusive motion pictures Show the empire state building 630 00:32:41,172 --> 00:32:43,724 Burning like A great smoky torch 631 00:32:43,758 --> 00:32:46,310 With flames bursting From the windows. 632 00:32:46,344 --> 00:32:48,344 ♪♪ 633 00:32:48,379 --> 00:32:52,689 Narrator: fire and skyscrapers Can be a deadly combination, 634 00:32:52,724 --> 00:32:54,620 But how does The building survive? 635 00:32:54,655 --> 00:32:57,482 ♪♪ 636 00:32:57,517 --> 00:33:00,517 Adrian wants to find out How the empire state building's 637 00:33:00,551 --> 00:33:04,379 Steel skeleton stands up To the flames and intense heat 638 00:33:04,413 --> 00:33:06,000 To save the people inside. 639 00:33:06,034 --> 00:33:07,241 It's quite sharp. 640 00:33:07,275 --> 00:33:10,758 Thanks. 641 00:33:10,793 --> 00:33:12,896 Bruegger: what we are doing here Is a good simulation 642 00:33:12,931 --> 00:33:14,620 Of what you would expect To happen 643 00:33:14,655 --> 00:33:18,310 In, for example, a hydrocarbon Fire due to an airplane crash. 644 00:33:18,344 --> 00:33:20,620 ♪♪ 645 00:33:20,655 --> 00:33:23,689 Narrator: he heats the steel To find its breaking point. 646 00:33:23,724 --> 00:33:26,068 ♪♪ 647 00:33:26,103 --> 00:33:27,517 Bruegger: go. Go more. 648 00:33:27,551 --> 00:33:30,034 [ gas hissing ] 649 00:33:30,068 --> 00:33:32,241 There you go. That's it. 650 00:33:32,275 --> 00:33:33,862 Narrator: As the steel is heated, 651 00:33:33,896 --> 00:33:37,689 A machine pulls from both ends With increasing force. 652 00:33:37,724 --> 00:33:42,344 Steel melts At 2,500 degrees fahrenheit, 653 00:33:42,379 --> 00:33:44,103 But just a fraction Of that temperature 654 00:33:44,137 --> 00:33:46,689 Is enough to seriously Weaken the metal. 655 00:33:46,724 --> 00:33:48,689 ♪♪ 656 00:33:48,724 --> 00:33:51,551 [ steel snaps ] 657 00:33:51,586 --> 00:33:54,689 Bruegger: there it is. 658 00:33:54,724 --> 00:34:01,689 It's actually about 420 degrees celsius. 659 00:34:01,724 --> 00:34:03,551 Narrator: the fire from The exploding bomber 660 00:34:03,586 --> 00:34:07,758 Will quickly rage To double this temperature. 661 00:34:07,793 --> 00:34:10,758 The integrity of the empire State building's steel skeleton 662 00:34:10,793 --> 00:34:14,310 Will easily fail With the heat of a fire. 663 00:34:14,344 --> 00:34:17,862 It's vital the flames are put Out before the skeleton fails 664 00:34:17,896 --> 00:34:21,241 And the building crashes. 665 00:34:21,275 --> 00:34:23,310 Bruegger: Fire does weaken the steel. 666 00:34:23,344 --> 00:34:25,965 This is the achilles' Heel of steel. 667 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,310 ♪♪ 668 00:34:28,344 --> 00:34:30,655 Narrator: the empire state Building's designers know 669 00:34:30,689 --> 00:34:34,689 That fire could bring An entire skyscraper down, 670 00:34:34,724 --> 00:34:38,034 So they build in A hidden safety feature -- 671 00:34:38,068 --> 00:34:40,275 Standpipes. 672 00:34:40,310 --> 00:34:42,724 These rigid vertical pipes Move water 673 00:34:42,758 --> 00:34:47,034 To the top of very tall Buildings at great speed. 674 00:34:47,068 --> 00:34:51,827 A standpipe acts like A fire hydrant at height. 675 00:34:51,862 --> 00:34:53,896 Pernal: it provides water To the firefighters, 676 00:34:53,931 --> 00:34:55,896 Who can hook up their hoses In the stairwell 677 00:34:55,931 --> 00:34:59,482 And fight the fires Out on the floors. 678 00:34:59,517 --> 00:35:02,724 Narrator: fire safety officer Matt pernal checks standpipes 679 00:35:02,758 --> 00:35:06,310 In new york's Tallest skyscrapers. 680 00:35:06,344 --> 00:35:08,655 The empire state building's Standpipe system 681 00:35:08,689 --> 00:35:13,172 Consists of an impressive 7,340 feet of pipe 682 00:35:13,206 --> 00:35:15,310 And 6 miles of hose. 683 00:35:15,344 --> 00:35:18,586 ♪♪ 684 00:35:18,620 --> 00:35:20,862 All right, jose. We're set up down here. 685 00:35:20,896 --> 00:35:23,517 I'm going to go ahead And get the churn test started. 686 00:35:23,551 --> 00:35:32,655 ♪♪ 687 00:35:32,689 --> 00:35:35,689 We were able to reach The 500 gallons per minute. 688 00:35:35,724 --> 00:35:38,655 The pump is putting out Enough flow and pressure 689 00:35:38,689 --> 00:35:40,965 In order to reach The roof level, 690 00:35:41,000 --> 00:35:43,827 And that will help the Firefighters put out the fire. 691 00:35:43,862 --> 00:35:48,620 ♪♪ 692 00:35:48,655 --> 00:35:52,758 Narrator: in 1945, fire crews Use the same standpipe system 693 00:35:52,793 --> 00:35:57,827 To quickly extinguish the blaze In the empire state building. 694 00:35:57,862 --> 00:36:01,344 The flames are out Within 40 minutes, 695 00:36:01,379 --> 00:36:05,551 Saving the metal from Lethal structural damage 696 00:36:05,586 --> 00:36:07,551 And allowing it to reopen For business 697 00:36:07,586 --> 00:36:09,689 Just two days after the crash, 698 00:36:09,724 --> 00:36:13,310 With tens of thousands of people Returning to work inside. 699 00:36:13,344 --> 00:36:15,551 ♪♪ 700 00:36:15,586 --> 00:36:18,137 The empire state building's Colossal structure 701 00:36:18,172 --> 00:36:22,068 Can absorb the impact Of a world war ii bomber. 702 00:36:22,103 --> 00:36:26,068 It can also survive Hurricane-force winds. 703 00:36:26,103 --> 00:36:30,000 How does its gleaming facade Stand up to the test of time? 704 00:36:38,724 --> 00:36:41,827 Narrator: new york's empire State building is such an icon, 705 00:36:41,862 --> 00:36:45,310 It's been called An eighth wonder of the world. 706 00:36:45,344 --> 00:36:50,586 Its gleaming facade is built From an extraordinary material. 707 00:36:50,620 --> 00:36:53,931 At the time of construction, Many skyscrapers are coated 708 00:36:53,965 --> 00:36:58,724 In a layer of brick And ceramic terra-cotta. 709 00:36:58,758 --> 00:37:01,862 The empire state building Is covered in limestone, 710 00:37:01,896 --> 00:37:04,827 The same stone As ancient wonders -- 711 00:37:04,862 --> 00:37:08,000 The 4,500-year-old Egyptian pyramids... 712 00:37:08,034 --> 00:37:10,000 ♪♪ 713 00:37:10,034 --> 00:37:14,448 ...And the 2,000-year-old Roman colosseum. 714 00:37:14,482 --> 00:37:18,862 But what is the secret To its gleaming facade? 715 00:37:18,896 --> 00:37:22,103 Geologist polly sturgeon Traces the stone to its source 716 00:37:22,137 --> 00:37:26,275 To explore why Architects choose it. 717 00:37:26,310 --> 00:37:31,206 This is the empire quarry In indiana. 718 00:37:31,241 --> 00:37:34,517 In the 1920s, they were pulling Several hundred million tons 719 00:37:34,551 --> 00:37:37,896 Of limestone out Of this small stretch of land. 720 00:37:37,931 --> 00:37:41,275 Narrator: The limestone used to cover the Empire state building's facade 721 00:37:41,310 --> 00:37:45,310 Can only be found in this Small area of the united states. 722 00:37:45,344 --> 00:37:47,482 Sturgeon: it's right in the Heart of the indiana stone belt, 723 00:37:47,517 --> 00:37:49,655 This narrow 30-mile Stretch of land, 724 00:37:49,689 --> 00:37:51,620 Which has produced up to 75% 725 00:37:51,655 --> 00:37:54,137 Of all limestone buildings In north america. 726 00:37:54,172 --> 00:37:56,310 ♪♪ 727 00:37:56,344 --> 00:37:58,000 Narrator: The indiana limestone is used 728 00:37:58,034 --> 00:38:01,517 In many of the country's Most important buildings, 729 00:38:01,551 --> 00:38:03,965 Like the pentagon 730 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:06,620 And the lincoln memorial. 731 00:38:06,655 --> 00:38:08,793 What makes it so sought-after? 732 00:38:08,827 --> 00:38:10,931 ♪♪ 733 00:38:10,965 --> 00:38:13,827 Polly compares stone cores Taken from test sites 734 00:38:13,862 --> 00:38:17,172 Across the indiana Limestone belt. 735 00:38:17,206 --> 00:38:19,241 Sturgeon: so, this is The indiana limestone. 736 00:38:19,275 --> 00:38:22,724 You can see it's a nice, Even color and texture. 737 00:38:22,758 --> 00:38:25,793 Narrator: layers of tiny crushed Prehistoric sea creatures 738 00:38:25,827 --> 00:38:27,896 Make up the limestone. 739 00:38:27,931 --> 00:38:30,758 They give the rock Its fine grain structure. 740 00:38:30,793 --> 00:38:33,862 There's no large shells Sticking out or holes in it, 741 00:38:33,896 --> 00:38:35,655 And that's because Of the ocean environment 742 00:38:35,689 --> 00:38:38,862 That we had 340 million Years ago here in indiana. 743 00:38:38,896 --> 00:38:42,482 Waves would break all Of those dead-animal body parts 744 00:38:42,517 --> 00:38:44,275 Into a nice, even size. 745 00:38:44,310 --> 00:38:47,413 Makes it excite for carving And putting on buildings. 746 00:38:47,448 --> 00:38:50,724 ♪♪ 747 00:38:50,758 --> 00:38:53,344 Narrator: workers can extract Limestone from this quarry 748 00:38:53,379 --> 00:38:57,482 In 3-ton, perfectly formed Blocks without any faults. 749 00:38:57,517 --> 00:39:00,137 ♪♪ 750 00:39:00,172 --> 00:39:04,896 Gang saws then slice the stone Into smaller pieces. 751 00:39:04,931 --> 00:39:08,137 Other popular building stones Like granite or marble, 752 00:39:08,172 --> 00:39:10,241 You can have areas Of irregularity 753 00:39:10,275 --> 00:39:14,586 With those veins that make it Difficult to carve large pieces. 754 00:39:14,620 --> 00:39:17,517 Narrator: the limestone can be Cut and carved in any direction 755 00:39:17,551 --> 00:39:21,034 Without cracking. 756 00:39:21,068 --> 00:39:24,103 It's ideal for cutting the Identical decorative details 757 00:39:24,137 --> 00:39:27,517 That are seen in the facade Of the empire state building. 758 00:39:27,551 --> 00:39:29,655 ♪♪ 759 00:39:29,689 --> 00:39:31,724 Its faultless, Fine-grain structure 760 00:39:31,758 --> 00:39:36,275 Appears to be the perfect Building material. 761 00:39:36,310 --> 00:39:40,413 But limestone has one Potentially serious flaw. 762 00:39:40,448 --> 00:39:43,413 It dissolves in rainwater. 763 00:39:43,448 --> 00:39:46,586 Limestone can weather away And be dissolved. 764 00:39:46,620 --> 00:39:49,448 Chemically, all of our rainwater Is slightly acidic, 765 00:39:49,482 --> 00:39:52,586 So it does eat away at the rock. 766 00:39:52,620 --> 00:39:54,965 Narrator: polly uses diluted Hydrochloric acid 767 00:39:55,000 --> 00:39:58,827 To demonstrate the effect It has on the stone. 768 00:39:58,862 --> 00:40:00,034 I can put it on there, 769 00:40:00,068 --> 00:40:03,172 And you can see That it fizzes very rapidly, 770 00:40:03,206 --> 00:40:07,689 And because the indiana Limestone is so high in calcite, 771 00:40:07,724 --> 00:40:10,137 It always reacts Very vividly like this. 772 00:40:10,172 --> 00:40:13,931 ♪♪ 773 00:40:13,965 --> 00:40:17,344 Narrator: new york's acidic Rainwater is slowly eating away 774 00:40:17,379 --> 00:40:20,586 At the facade Of the empire state building. 775 00:40:20,620 --> 00:40:23,413 But the indiana limestone Is so durable 776 00:40:23,448 --> 00:40:25,482 That it takes A staggering 60 years 777 00:40:25,517 --> 00:40:27,000 Before any work is needed 778 00:40:27,034 --> 00:40:30,862 To repair or replace the stone Covering the skyscraper. 779 00:40:30,896 --> 00:40:33,068 ♪♪ 780 00:40:33,103 --> 00:40:35,206 Meticulous cleaning And renovation 781 00:40:35,241 --> 00:40:40,379 Ensures the limestone layer Will never dissolve or crumble, 782 00:40:40,413 --> 00:40:42,793 Meaning this modern wonder Can survive 783 00:40:42,827 --> 00:40:47,551 As long as the Ancient wonders of the world. 784 00:40:47,586 --> 00:40:52,482 The empire state building Is an incredible achievement. 785 00:40:52,517 --> 00:40:57,586 It's the first structure To top 100 stories, 786 00:40:57,620 --> 00:41:03,275 A pioneering icon paving the way To ever taller skyscrapers. 787 00:41:03,310 --> 00:41:07,034 It's extremely resilient, With innovative engineering 788 00:41:07,068 --> 00:41:11,000 And farsighted use of materials. 789 00:41:11,034 --> 00:41:13,448 This incredible building Will stand firm 790 00:41:13,482 --> 00:41:17,344 In manhattan's skyline For centuries to come. 791 00:41:17,379 --> 00:41:24,896 ♪♪ 792 00:41:24,931 --> 00:41:32,448 ♪♪ 793 00:41:32,482 --> 00:41:40,000 ♪♪ 794 00:41:40,034 --> 00:41:47,551 ♪♪ 61475

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