Failurology Podcast

20 yrs ago today, a software bug knocked out power to the NE US and Ontario. Operators were unaware they needed to redistribute the power load. By the time they figured it out, they were in the dark. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/1b7gkb…

23 yrs ago today, the Kursk submarine sank during a training exercise in the Barents Sea. The first recovery vessel ran into the sub, and the second recovery vessel couldn't find it. How embarassing?!? #engineering #failures #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2hk2Yr…

9 yrs ago today, the Mount Polley mine experienced a dam breach, spilling most of the 4 sq km trailings pond into nearby Polley Lake. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/6i1X67…

16 years ago today, the 8 lane, I-35W steel struss arch bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River during rush hour. An excessively thin gusset plate and added weight on the bridge contributed to the failure. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/5KTkky…

40 years ago today, the Gimli Glider got its name after a unit conversion error meant the plane ran out of fuel half way through its flight. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/5WpCEj…

34 years ago today, the tail engine of United Flight 232 failed catastrophically and disabled most of the flight controls. Despite this, the plane made an emergency landing and 185 people survived. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2ZMAEL…

68 years ago today, a brace on gate 3 of the Folsom Dam spillway failed, releasing 40% of Folsom Lake (40,000 ft3/s) down the American River. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/3OTE0a…

42 years ago today, the Hyatt Regency walkway collapsed in the lobby during a tea dance. The structure changed during construction to support the lvl 2 bridge from lvl 4, rather than individual supports for each bridge. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/2tYMMu…

This prototype uses fluids to control how much light and solar energy can pass through a pane of glass, enabling buildings to mitigate heating and cooling costs in buildings: asme.org/topics-resourc…

35 yrs ago today, the Piper Alpha exploded and sank in the North Sea. The rig was re-tooled to process gas instead of oil, but the walls weren't upgraded to withstand explosions and fire spread fast. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/4Jg1mc…

10 yrs ago a 73 car freight train derailed in dwntwn Lac-Mégantic, QC. Lack of handbrakes and lack of backup safety allowed the train to roll down a 1.2% grade from Nantes and destroy more than 1/2 of dwntwn. #engineering #Failure #podcast open.spotify.com/show/2s96errfe…

28 years ago the Sampoong Department Store collapsed in a catastrophic structural failure. #ThrowbackThursday to our epsiode about the failure. open.spotify.com/episode/13bMbv… #engineering #failure #podcast

The CN Tower, which opened 47 years ago today, is one of @ASCETweets 7 wonders of the engineering world. The tower tackled several construction and engineering issues, and we get into all of it on this epsidode. open.spotify.com/episode/4hgMpc… #engineering #failure #podcast

Yesterday marked the 2 yr anniversary of the tragic Surfside Condo collapse in Florida. Corrosion of the reinforcing steel in the concrete slab degraded the structural integrity over decades until key members failed. #engineering #failure #podcast open.spotify.com/episode/4Z97rt…

65 years ago today, the #Vancouver Second Narrows Bridge collapsed during construction. The cause was unexpected and we get into all the details on this episode. open.spotify.com/episode/4lkmQS… #engineering #failure #podcast

The Grenfell Tower Fire happened 6 years ago today. This is such a tragic story that could have been prevented. For more on the fire, check out this episode. open.spotify.com/episode/6GE33a… #engineering #failure #podcast

44 years ago today, the Luna Park Ghost Train caught fire. Without functional safety systems, riders struggled to escape. This failure led to big changes in Australian fire safety. open.spotify.com/episode/2gTG1k… #engineering #failure #podcast

The Teton Dam collapsed 47 years ago during the intial fill and was never rebuilt. We discuss what went wrong on this episode. open.spotify.com/episode/7ofCq9… #engineering #failure #podcast

14 years ago, AF447 crashed on its way from Brazil to Paris. #ThrowbackThursday to our episode about the flight and everything that went wrong. open.spotify.com/episode/351PJm… #engineering #failure #podcast

The Johnstown Flood happened 134 years ago today when the South Fork Dam failed and caused mass destruction to unsuspecting residents downstream. We talk about what went wrong on this episode. open.spotify.com/episode/1zkhF8… #engineering #failure #podcast