Name: Why Bridges Collapse
Uploaded: undefined
Duration: undefined

Nova

In a single-point bridge failure, one component breaks and brings down an entire structure. See how this happened 52 years ago to West Virginia’s Silver Bridge.

How West Virginia's Silver Bridge Fell in 1967

In August of 2018, an 800-foot section of Genoa, Italy's Ponte Morandi Bridge collapsed, killing 43 people. Two survivors reflect on the event.

Hear from two survivors of a tragic bridge collapse.

Survivors Recount Bridge Collapse in Genoa, Italy

United States

Northern Mariana Islands

Puerto Rico

American Samoa

Guam

U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Minor Outlying Islands

US & Territories

In 2018, Italy’s Morandi Bridge collapsed, tragically killing 43 people. For 50 years, the iconic bridge had withstood the elements—and stress from ever-increasing traffic. What went wrong that fateful day? And how can new engineering technology protect bridge infrastructure to prevent such tragic failures in the future?

Can new engineering techniques help prevent deadly bridge collapses?

Why Bridges Collapse

Why Bridges Collapse Preview

Brilliant.org

NOVA Science Trust Logo

In 2018, Italy’s Morandi Bridge collapsed, tragically killing 43 people. For 50 years, the iconic bridge had withstood the elements—and stress from ever-increasing traffic. What went wrong that fateful day? And how can new engineering technology protect bridge infrastructure to prevent such tragic failures in the future? Through eyewitness testimony, expert interviews, and dramatic archival footage, NOVA investigates the Morandi disaster and other deadly bridge collapses. (Premiered Oct. 16, 2019)

Can new engineering techniques help prevent deadly bridge collapses?

Tech & Engineering

Canada

US, US Territories, Canada

NOVA investigates the story of cannabis from the criminalization that has disproportionately harmed communities of color to the latest medical understanding of the plant. What risks does cannabis pose to the developing brain? How much do we know about its potential medical benefits? As cannabis becomes socially accepted, scientists are exploring its long-term health consequences. (Premiered September 29, 2021)Check out a previously recorded panel discussion and audience Q&amp;A featuring experts and producers from "The Cannabis Question" <a href="https://youtu.be/nSTT5RZ_hxA">here</a>.

As state-legalized cannabis spreads, NOVA explores its little-known risks and benefits.

The Cannabis Question

A 2006 composite image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer Telescope shows the chaos of baby stars in the Orion nebula some 1,500 light-years away. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/STScI

With the upcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble era is gradually drawing to a close. Here are some highlights from the countless wonders Hubble has shown us during its 31 years in space.

10 spectacular Hubble Space Telescope images

A statue of Zheng He at the Sam Poo Kong Temple in Java, Indonesia. Image Credit: Budianto Santosa, Shutterstock

In the 1400s, Zheng He sailed thousands of miles around Asia and Africa in ships the size of soccer fields, spreading Chinese innovations like compasses and gunpowder in the process.

Why Bridges Collapse

More Ways to Watch

Support Provided By

Explore More

Why Bridges Collapse

Survivors Recount Bridge Collapse in Genoa, Italy

How West Virginia's Silver Bridge Fell in 1967

The Unexpected Ways Engineers Help Us Move Faster

Operation Bridge Rescue

Build a Bridge

More Ways to Watch

Transcript

Credits

Participants

Support Provided By

Explore More

Why Bridges Collapse

Survivors Recount Bridge Collapse in Genoa, Italy

How West Virginia's Silver Bridge Fell in 1967

The Unexpected Ways Engineers Help Us Move Faster

Operation Bridge Rescue

Build a Bridge