Brief Summary
This video tells the story of a major structural engineering mistake made during the construction of the Citicorp Center in New York City. The mistake, discovered by an undergraduate student, could have caused the building to collapse in high winds, potentially killing 200,000 people. The engineer, William LeMessurier, admitted his mistake and quickly organized a team to fix the problem without causing panic. However, he kept the incident secret for over 20 years, sparking debate about whether he should have informed the public.
- LeMessurier's mistake involved a miscalculation of wind loads on the building's diagonal bracing.
- He corrected the mistake by welding the connections, but kept the incident secret for over 20 years.
- The video discusses the ethical implications of LeMessurier's decision to keep the mistake secret.
The Citicorp Center: A Near-Disaster
The video begins by introducing the Citicorp Center, a 1.3 million square foot building in Manhattan, New York, built in 1977. The building's architect was Hugh Stubbins Jr., and the engineer was William LeMessurier, a renowned structural engineer. The building's unique design, with its diagonal bracing inspired by pine trees, was intended to withstand high winds.
The Mistake
The video then explains the mistake made by LeMessurier. He had miscalculated the wind loads on the building's diagonal bracing, assuming the weight of the building would be sufficient to counteract the wind forces. However, an undergraduate student named Diane Hartley, while studying the building for her thesis, discovered that the bracing was not strong enough to withstand a 70-mile-per-hour wind.
The Fix
LeMessurier, upon realizing the mistake, immediately contacted his insurance company, lawyers, Citicorp, and the architect. He then devised a plan to fix the problem by welding the connections of the diagonal bracing. The repairs were carried out at night over a three-month period, with the help of every welder within a 100-mile radius of New York City. The repairs were kept secret from the building's occupants.
The Ethical Debate
The video concludes by discussing the ethical implications of LeMessurier's decision to keep the mistake secret for over 20 years. Some argue that he should have informed the public, while others believe he acted responsibly by fixing the problem without causing panic. The video highlights the importance of admitting mistakes and seeking help when necessary, as well as the need for thorough checks and balances in engineering projects.
