Engineers, architects, scientists and others are always striving for better, stronger buildings and structures. Learn more about subjects like skyscrapers, intelligent highways and floating cities.
People build skyscrapers primarily because they are convenient -- you can create a lot of real estate out of a relatively small ground area. They're also awe-inspiring. Skyscrapers capture our imagination -- how high can we build them? Learn about the architecture and design of these monumental buildings. See more »
Whether we're trying to save a sinking city or digging massive underground tunnels, our appetite for construction knows no bounds. But if designers had known the cost of these 10 projects, they might have gone back to the drawing board.
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Chances are, if you've done even the slightest bit of traveling, you've crossed your fair share of bridges. These feats of engineering can span anything from a trickling stream to a raging river. Can you cross the bridge quiz without falling?
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Safe, professional building implosions combine mathematics, intuition and sheer explosive power. Find out how the experts bring down huge structures without damaging the buildings nearby.
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The world's first floating city is absolutely gigantic, fully loaded with amenities and necessities and could set sail in about three years. Find out what the Freedom Ship has in store for its lucky residents.
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When pyramids come to mind, most of us think of Egypt, but pyramids exist in many parts of the world. How were they constructed without earth-moving or heavy-lift machinery? And most of all, why were these amazing structures built?
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People build skyscrapers primarily because they are convenient -- you can create a lot of real estate out of a relatively small ground area. They're also awe-inspiring. Skyscrapers capture our imagination -- how high can we build them? Learn about the architecture and design of these monumental buildings.
See more »
Smart Structures will completely change the way buildings react to earthquakes! See how they will work!
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A tunnel can be simply defined as a tube hollowed through soil or stone, but actually constructing a tunnel is a challenge. Find out how tunnels are built.
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If you've ever hefted your sofa up a flight of stairs, you know that moving is no fun. So why would anyone want to move a building?
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Bridges move cars, trains, bikes and people, among other things. These 10 may even move your soul with their engineering ingenuity and beauty. So which 10 make the cut?
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Abandoned mine shafts may look romantic with their clapboarded entrances and rusting pickaxes, but they can be deadly. So who ensures that these dangerous sites are properly closed up? You may find the answer a little unsettling.
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The Alaska Pipeline carries oil from wells in the far north of Alaska down to the the port in Valdez, Alaska. If that pipeline blew up, what would happen to all that oil, and how much damage would it do?
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Hoover Dam holds back 10 trillion gallons of water. That's enough to cover the state of Connecticut 10 feet deep. How much damage would be done if the dam broke?
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Domed cities would provide the same temperature year-round, no rain or snow, and the ability to go outside without worrying about a sunburn. Have they been tried before, and what about the people who enjoy their seasons?
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Whether they make you think of Hurricane Katrina or Led Zeppelin, levees are a critical safety feature for low-lying areas located near water. Why do they break?
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Have you ever passed by an abandoned warehouse or gas station and wondered why the government doesn’t just tear it down? Well, it may be a brownfield.
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There are world records out there for the strangest things, and the "buildings" category is no exception. How much do you know about the world's structures?
See more »Rome is famous for having large public fountains that work without the use of any kind of mechanized pump. How were these fountains able to generate enough water pressure without a motor? Check out this article for the answer to this question.
See more »If you've ever seen a construction site, you may have noticed that the general plans for construction are drawn out in the form of blueprints. What exactly are blueprints, though, and how are they made? Find out in this article.
See more »Please settle an argument I'm having with my dad. He says the tallest building in the world is the Sears Tower in Chicago, IL. I think there's one that's taller. Is there?
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