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In this episode...
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This is one of the most
structurally impressive
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engineering projects
in the world.
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...An airport on course to be
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the largest on the planet...
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This airport is the benchmark
for airport construction.
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This is the most important thing
I have ever done.
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And the groundbreaking
innovations from the past...
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This is a wonderful
piece of architecture,
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00:00:26,210 --> 00:00:27,986
a wonderful piece
of engineering.
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It's really a marvel.
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It's almost a cathedral
to good engineering.
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...That made
the impossible possible.
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Captions by vitac...
www.vitac.com
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captions paid for by
discovery communications
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Beijing, China.
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One of the biggest cities
in the world.
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Demand for air travel here
is soaring.
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But the city's only airport
has reached its breaking point.
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New York-based architect
Wendy Fok
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has traveled to Beijing
to see how the designers
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and engineers here
are attempting the impossible.
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The current airport
is at capacity.
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It was originally intended
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for 76 million passengers
each year,
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but it's operating
well above that.
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Last year alone,
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100 million people
passed through its doors.
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Problems for flight reliability,
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passenger experience,
airline operations.
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Beijing is in real need
of a solution.
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With passenger numbers
predicted to rise even further,
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the pressure on the airport
is only going to get worse.
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So engineers in China
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have come up with
a groundbreaking solution.
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This is the brand-new Beijing
dashing international airport.
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It's on track to become
the biggest airport in the world
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once construction is complete.
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And Wendy is getting
the chance to see it
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before it opens to the public.
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Wow, I cannot believe
how high the ceilings are.
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All of those dips and swirls
are super amazing.
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You could barely even see
how the structure is done.
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It's really well-designed.
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Barely see any columns here.
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It's really amazing what
the engineers have done here.
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Occupying more than
17 square miles,
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dashing airport's site is
2/3 the size of Manhattan.
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The spectacular
star-shaped terminal
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covers 7 1/2 million
square feet.
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With a massive roof constructed
from over 57,000 tons of steel
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equivalent to 500 steam engines.
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By the time the entire project
is fully completed,
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it will include
a record-breaking six runways
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and could see 100 million
travelers every year.
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But with the old airport
at crisis point,
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constructing this massive
terminal is a race against time.
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Wendy is finding out more
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from deputy engineering manager
Gao Aiping.
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So Mr. Gao saying
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they need to build
this entire terminal
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in three years and nine months.
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That is an
incredibly short amount of time
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to build an airport.
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Quickly laying the groundwork
for this complex mega structure
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was the first step.
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So Gao and his team came up with
an innovative solution
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to speed up construction.
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So the engineers constructed
a temporary railroad system
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to the core of the building
to bring the materials
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to get distributed
around the building
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to move materials
really quickly.
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16 wireless,
remote-controlled trains
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transport up to 28 tons
of construction materials,
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00:05:08,390 --> 00:05:10,940
making the build
four times faster.
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00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:16,730
How many people are making
this project possible?
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Oh, wow, that's actually
pretty amazing.
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At peak times,
there's about 20,000 people
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working on this project.
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And you can actually see
there's a huge amount of people
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just working on different parts
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of the construction right now.
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With this ample workforce,
engineers hope
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this entire terminal
can be completed in record time.
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But first, there are still
major obstacles to overcome.
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How do you move
millions of passengers
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through the airport efficiently?
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How do you build
the terminal's colossal
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intricately curved roof?
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00:06:04,710 --> 00:06:06,996
And most importantly,
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how do you protect the airport
from devastating earthquakes?
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I think this is one of
the most structurally impressive
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engineering projects
in the world.
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Before this astonishing
structure can be built,
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there's a crucial challenge
with the design
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that needs to be solved.
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Getting to your gate
at the airport
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sometimes is an impossible feat.
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You sometimes get lost.
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You don't see the signage,
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and sometimes,
you're just rushing in general.
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For a huge airport like this
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to get over 72 million people
through its gates,
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it's going to be
super difficult.
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Designing the airport
to guide passengers through it
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is something that engineer
Wang Qiang has to solve.
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This is an incredibly
difficult problem for engineers.
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So how do you move people
around the airport efficiently?
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This is midtown Manhattan.
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It's the heart of New York City,
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the largest city
in the United States,
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and by virtue of being a place
where everyone wants to be,
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one of the busiest cities.
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00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:51,796
Architect Cara Michell
is investigating
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how her
19th century predecessors
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00:07:53,790 --> 00:07:56,106
dealt with the sudden
increase in demand
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for public transportation.
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00:08:01,130 --> 00:08:03,306
So it was
an incredible challenge
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00:08:03,330 --> 00:08:05,646
for the early architects
of New York City
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00:08:05,670 --> 00:08:09,286
to figure out how to get people
onto and off of the island,
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00:08:09,310 --> 00:08:13,416
especially during a time of
unprecedented population growth,
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00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:15,086
so figuring out a solution
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00:08:15,110 --> 00:08:18,306
for how to transport
both regular commuters
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00:08:18,330 --> 00:08:21,396
and long-distance travelers
on a daily basis
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00:08:21,420 --> 00:08:23,946
was really difficult.
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00:08:23,970 --> 00:08:26,316
A massive new
transportation hub would need
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00:08:26,340 --> 00:08:28,806
to coordinate the smooth
movement of people through it
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on a scale that had
never been attempted before.
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Architects Whitney Warren
and Charles Reed
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took on the challenge of
designing a new train terminal.
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Their solution?
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This is grand central terminal.
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The largest
railway station on the planet.
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00:09:01,020 --> 00:09:04,530
750,000 people
pass through daily.
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00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:10,376
Warren and Reed
came up with ingenious ways
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00:09:10,400 --> 00:09:14,876
to ensure passengers
didn't get in each other's way.
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00:09:14,900 --> 00:09:17,686
First of all,
you enter the main concourse,
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00:09:17,710 --> 00:09:21,686
and you immediately see
this information center.
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00:09:21,710 --> 00:09:24,556
But you can also see
the location of the tracks.
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00:09:24,580 --> 00:09:27,526
You understand immediately
where you need to go.
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00:09:27,550 --> 00:09:29,896
You know, that is really
accentuated by the fact
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00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,296
that there are no interior
columns breaking up this space.
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It's really an open plan.
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00:09:36,930 --> 00:09:38,166
No columns meant
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00:09:38,190 --> 00:09:41,406
a passenger's view of signs
was not obstructed.
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00:09:41,430 --> 00:09:44,096
But there was still
a major problem.
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Stations usually had stairs,
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which slowed people down
and created bottlenecks.
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00:09:50,410 --> 00:09:52,106
So these ramps really represent
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00:09:52,130 --> 00:09:54,466
one of the major
design innovations
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in grand central terminal.
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But one of the things
they had to work on
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was determining what
the right gradient would be,
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00:10:02,970 --> 00:10:05,596
and they actually built
a number of models
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00:10:05,620 --> 00:10:09,336
and tested them out to determine
what the right slope is
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00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,106
for people carrying luggage
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00:10:11,130 --> 00:10:14,836
and even people of variety
levels of fitness and ability
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00:10:14,860 --> 00:10:17,806
to make sure that it was
just subtle enough
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00:10:17,830 --> 00:10:19,596
for people to feel comfortable,
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00:10:19,620 --> 00:10:21,946
but also the right slope
to effectively
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00:10:21,970 --> 00:10:25,486
and quickly move people
in and out.
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So let's see.
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It looks like we're getting
something between
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5 1/2 and 6 degrees of slope,
which seems about right.
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Grand central terminal
was the first station
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00:10:40,690 --> 00:10:43,636
to use ramps on a large scale,
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much more efficient than using
stairs or even escalators today.
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00:10:48,330 --> 00:10:49,976
Another one of the many
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innovations
in grand central terminal
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is the fact that the tracks
are actually on two levels.
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Typically, rail tracks
are laid out in a row,
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00:10:59,630 --> 00:11:02,216
but with 43 platforms
at grand central,
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00:11:02,240 --> 00:11:04,986
that's a long way to walk.
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00:11:05,010 --> 00:11:07,246
By splitting the tracks
over two floors,
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00:11:07,270 --> 00:11:09,980
it's less distance
for passengers to walk.
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And there's another benefit.
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00:11:15,830 --> 00:11:17,806
So you have
long-distance passengers
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who need a little bit more time
to get on the train,
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have more baggage,
on the upper level,
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00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:27,146
and then you have short-trip
commuters on the lower level.
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00:11:27,170 --> 00:11:31,346
And another innovation
is looping tracks.
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So they're actually dropping
passengers off on one platform
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and then looping around
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to board departing passengers
on another platform.
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00:11:41,380 --> 00:11:43,766
Every piece of design
and architecture
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in grand central terminal
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is really focused
on getting people
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moving more efficiently and more
quickly through the station.
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00:11:52,460 --> 00:11:55,996
Grand central terminal
is a world first.
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00:11:56,020 --> 00:12:01,926
Despite being built in 1913,
it still works perfectly today.
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00:12:01,950 --> 00:12:04,686
So what Warren and Reed
accomplished here
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00:12:04,710 --> 00:12:07,886
over 100 years ago
truly revolutionized
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00:12:07,910 --> 00:12:10,256
the design
of transportation hubs,
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00:12:10,280 --> 00:12:13,026
and it's quite a wonder to think
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00:12:13,050 --> 00:12:16,866
that designers of transportation
hubs all over the world
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00:12:16,890 --> 00:12:21,636
are still looking to this space
to understand
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00:12:21,660 --> 00:12:23,716
how to effectively
move people around.
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00:12:23,740 --> 00:12:26,176
I mean, it's really a marvel
and a monument,
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almost a cathedral
to good engineering.
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00:12:41,310 --> 00:12:42,786
Now, in China,
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00:12:42,810 --> 00:12:44,586
engineers are building upon
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00:12:44,610 --> 00:12:47,156
Warren and Reed's
groundbreaking designs
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to create their cutting-edge
21st century airport.
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00:13:01,550 --> 00:13:03,756
In Beijing, work is underway
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00:13:03,780 --> 00:13:06,326
to create a brand-new airport
that will keep up
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00:13:06,350 --> 00:13:09,866
with the city's
rapidly booming population.
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00:13:09,890 --> 00:13:13,966
Beijing dashing airport is set
to be the largest in the world,
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00:13:13,990 --> 00:13:17,226
so in order to reduce
walking times for passengers,
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00:13:17,250 --> 00:13:19,506
engineers came up
with an ingenious way
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00:13:19,530 --> 00:13:22,530
to compact
its 79 departure gates.
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00:13:51,730 --> 00:13:54,176
To help people
locate their gate quicker,
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00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:57,370
engineers used another strategy.
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00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:17,736
Just like in grand central,
dashing airport is engineered
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00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:20,916
to keep different types
of travelers separate
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00:14:20,940 --> 00:14:24,306
so they don't get
in each other's way,
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00:14:24,330 --> 00:14:28,870
while ramps and travelators
help keep people moving.
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00:15:01,300 --> 00:15:03,676
In preparation
for the airport opening,
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00:15:03,700 --> 00:15:07,286
engineers are rigorously testing
passenger flow
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00:15:07,310 --> 00:15:11,736
with the help
of 51,000 volunteers.
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00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,976
So here we go. We're going to
try to test this out.
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00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,946
And today, New York-
based architect Wendy Fok
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00:15:17,970 --> 00:15:21,140
is getting the chance
to put the design to the test.
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00:15:24,140 --> 00:15:27,286
We're actually walking
towards the international gates.
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00:15:27,310 --> 00:15:29,176
If I were trying
to get to a flight,
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00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:31,230
I would be super nervous
right now.
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00:15:33,220 --> 00:15:35,526
It should take
a maximum of eight minutes
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00:15:35,550 --> 00:15:38,076
to get to the furthest gate.
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00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:40,000
We're doing a good job
right now.
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00:15:42,270 --> 00:15:44,336
See behind me
this beautiful Chinese garden
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00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:46,160
that's still in construction.
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00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:51,330
And we're close to
the end of the terminal.
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00:15:55,070 --> 00:15:57,886
So here we are
at the end of the terminal.
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00:15:57,910 --> 00:16:00,506
We've made our flight.
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00:16:00,530 --> 00:16:03,876
Despite being
such a huge airport,
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00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:05,586
took less than six minutes.
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00:16:05,610 --> 00:16:08,206
That's under
what the engineers estimated.
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00:16:08,230 --> 00:16:11,016
That's pretty incredible.
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00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:12,886
Coordinating the movement
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00:16:12,910 --> 00:16:14,586
of up to
100 million people a year
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00:16:14,610 --> 00:16:16,816
is a massive achievement
for the engineers
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00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:20,240
of one of the largest terminal
buildings ever constructed.
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00:16:38,030 --> 00:16:40,046
Constructing a single
terminal building
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00:16:40,070 --> 00:16:43,446
on such an unprecedented scale
was a huge challenge
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00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:45,670
for engineers like Lei Susu...
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00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,266
...who has special access
246
00:16:50,290 --> 00:16:52,890
to one of the project's
biggest challenges...
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00:16:57,820 --> 00:16:59,750
...the enormous roof.
248
00:17:19,270 --> 00:17:23,016
The airport's artistic roof
is an extremely complex shape
249
00:17:23,040 --> 00:17:25,740
with multiple flowing curves.
250
00:17:49,140 --> 00:17:51,846
The problem was made
even more difficult by the need
251
00:17:51,870 --> 00:17:55,140
for an unobstructed space
inside the airport.
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00:18:12,460 --> 00:18:16,336
A traditional concrete and
girder roof would be too heavy,
253
00:18:16,360 --> 00:18:19,756
so to solve this
seemingly impossible challenge,
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00:18:19,780 --> 00:18:23,820
engineers will need inspiration
from the pioneers of the past.
255
00:18:36,030 --> 00:18:40,766
In China, air travel is booming.
256
00:18:40,790 --> 00:18:43,216
To keep up
with the increased demand,
257
00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:44,516
engineers are building
258
00:18:44,540 --> 00:18:47,786
the Beijing dashing
international airport,
259
00:18:47,810 --> 00:18:52,496
a cutting-edge transport hub
on a scale never seen before.
260
00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:56,966
Handling 880,000 flights a year,
the terminal is constructed
261
00:18:56,990 --> 00:19:00,336
on the world's biggest
seamless slab of concrete,
262
00:19:00,360 --> 00:19:03,206
which at nearly
2 million square feet
263
00:19:03,230 --> 00:19:07,006
is more than seven times
the size of Rome's Colosseum.
264
00:19:07,030 --> 00:19:09,876
But installing a roof
on a building of this size
265
00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:11,830
is a major challenge.
266
00:19:20,180 --> 00:19:21,186
We are in split,
267
00:19:21,210 --> 00:19:23,956
very old, beautiful
Mediterranean town.
268
00:19:23,980 --> 00:19:28,456
We believe that we are
the sportiest city in the world.
269
00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,366
Architect
and sports fan Dinko Peracic
270
00:19:31,390 --> 00:19:34,766
lives in Croatia
in Southern Europe.
271
00:19:34,790 --> 00:19:39,836
In 1979, split was chosen
to host the Mediterranean games,
272
00:19:39,860 --> 00:19:44,646
and the pressure was on
to build a world-class arena.
273
00:19:44,670 --> 00:19:48,246
One of the biggest challenges
was to make an athletic stadium
274
00:19:48,270 --> 00:19:50,696
for 55,000 people
in the audience,
275
00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:52,366
and the design of the stadium
276
00:19:52,390 --> 00:19:55,066
had to be something really,
really special.
277
00:19:55,090 --> 00:19:57,906
The games were held
during the summertime,
278
00:19:57,930 --> 00:20:00,796
so it would be definitely
too hot for spectators.
279
00:20:00,820 --> 00:20:04,196
So a roof had to be built
to protect them,
280
00:20:04,220 --> 00:20:06,296
and it was important
that the roof
281
00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:08,166
doesn't have supporting columns.
282
00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:12,676
They would block the view,
so it was a big, big challenge.
283
00:20:12,700 --> 00:20:16,730
What engineers
came up with is awe-inspiring.
284
00:20:30,150 --> 00:20:31,486
Here we are.
285
00:20:31,510 --> 00:20:33,456
Sports stadium in split.
286
00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:35,656
Yeah, this is a wonderful
piece of architecture,
287
00:20:35,680 --> 00:20:39,196
a wonderful piece
of engineering.
288
00:20:39,220 --> 00:20:41,096
These massive steel roofs
289
00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:45,806
are each over 700 feet long,
covering a combined area
290
00:20:45,830 --> 00:20:49,246
of more than
130,000 square feet.
291
00:20:49,270 --> 00:20:50,776
When it was built,
292
00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:53,620
this was the largest curved roof
of this kind in the world.
293
00:20:59,260 --> 00:21:02,486
These long span roofs
wouldn't have been possible
294
00:21:02,510 --> 00:21:05,606
without Alexander Graham bell.
295
00:21:05,630 --> 00:21:07,626
Famous for inventing
the telephone,
296
00:21:07,650 --> 00:21:11,596
in 1902,
he became interested in flight
297
00:21:11,620 --> 00:21:14,620
and made huge wings
of interconnected pyramids.
298
00:21:18,430 --> 00:21:21,130
The technique became known
as a space frame.
299
00:21:23,230 --> 00:21:25,576
And Dinko has
a unique opportunity
300
00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:27,876
to take a closer look.
301
00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:30,916
Yeah, here we are in the roof.
302
00:21:30,940 --> 00:21:34,256
This is
a space-frame construction.
303
00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:36,386
This is a structure
that normal people
304
00:21:36,410 --> 00:21:38,526
can feel just from below.
305
00:21:38,550 --> 00:21:41,296
You see that there are
no columns supporting you.
306
00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:43,866
There is just the air below us.
307
00:21:43,890 --> 00:21:47,266
I have to hold my helmet
that it doesn't fall down.
308
00:21:47,290 --> 00:21:51,156
Here we have those
triangular pyramids made out of
309
00:21:51,180 --> 00:21:55,656
12,000 poles
and more than 3,500 balls
310
00:21:55,680 --> 00:22:00,766
creating this shape,
the spatial structure.
311
00:22:00,790 --> 00:22:03,646
Pyramids are
very strong in all directions
312
00:22:03,670 --> 00:22:06,986
because
they spread forces evenly.
313
00:22:07,010 --> 00:22:09,886
And these frames don't need
much material to build them,
314
00:22:09,910 --> 00:22:12,156
so they're also very light.
315
00:22:12,180 --> 00:22:15,326
Space frames
are made of straight poles,
316
00:22:15,350 --> 00:22:18,226
but this roof
has multiple curves.
317
00:22:18,250 --> 00:22:20,366
To show how this is possible,
318
00:22:20,390 --> 00:22:23,366
Dinko is building
his own space frame.
319
00:22:23,390 --> 00:22:25,616
And this is
a very lightweight structure.
320
00:22:25,640 --> 00:22:27,506
The space is mostly air.
321
00:22:27,530 --> 00:22:29,086
There is just
the minimal material.
322
00:22:29,110 --> 00:22:30,246
The story becomes interesting
323
00:22:30,270 --> 00:22:33,266
when we start to multiply
these elements.
324
00:22:33,290 --> 00:22:37,246
We can simply
connect them together...
325
00:22:37,270 --> 00:22:39,636
And get a chain of pyramids,
326
00:22:39,660 --> 00:22:44,106
which is actually creating
a special frame.
327
00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:46,976
To make this curved roof,
328
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,306
engineers made
some of the polls longer
329
00:22:49,330 --> 00:22:53,396
and changed the angle
of the connections.
330
00:22:53,420 --> 00:22:56,616
By simply introducing
longer poles,
331
00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:59,436
you get a curved structure.
332
00:22:59,460 --> 00:23:01,056
In these two roofs,
333
00:23:01,080 --> 00:23:04,896
there are more than
1,000 different lengths of poles
334
00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:08,676
and more than
1,500 different connections.
335
00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:11,236
But to calculate
each of those elements,
336
00:23:11,260 --> 00:23:12,736
it's really complex.
337
00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:13,906
For decades,
338
00:23:13,930 --> 00:23:16,206
calculating the thousands
of different elements
339
00:23:16,230 --> 00:23:20,796
required for a multi-curved roof
was thought impossible.
340
00:23:20,820 --> 00:23:24,796
But advances in another field
provided a breakthrough.
341
00:23:24,820 --> 00:23:26,586
So this roof of this stadium
342
00:23:26,610 --> 00:23:29,366
was the first one
where computers were used
343
00:23:29,390 --> 00:23:32,726
to calculate
these specific elements.
344
00:23:32,750 --> 00:23:35,436
Computer technology
proved space frames
345
00:23:35,460 --> 00:23:39,646
could form almost any shape
long-span roof...
346
00:23:39,670 --> 00:23:42,100
Essential for the engineers
in China.
347
00:23:45,590 --> 00:23:47,486
70 years after
Alexander Graham bell
348
00:23:47,510 --> 00:23:51,156
invented his space frames
made of triangular pyramids,
349
00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:55,256
it was used in a very creative
way here in this stadium.
350
00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,176
I'm really proud that
I'm part of this culture
351
00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,650
that was able to construct
something like this.
352
00:24:10,870 --> 00:24:12,796
Engineers in China have taken
353
00:24:12,820 --> 00:24:15,796
the space-frame innovation
and created a roof
354
00:24:15,820 --> 00:24:19,296
13 times the size of that
on the stadium in Croatia,
355
00:24:19,320 --> 00:24:22,480
but assembling it will be
a massive challenge.
356
00:24:33,170 --> 00:24:35,536
Beijing dashing
airport is on track
357
00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:38,966
to be the largest airport
in the world.
358
00:24:38,990 --> 00:24:41,876
A structure of this size
needs a massive roof,
359
00:24:41,900 --> 00:24:46,546
and engineers are using space-
frame innovation to build one.
360
00:24:46,570 --> 00:24:48,116
The jaw-dropping structure
361
00:24:48,140 --> 00:24:50,496
that makes
this terminal roof possible
362
00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:52,806
is completely hidden
from passengers,
363
00:24:52,830 --> 00:24:57,490
but Lei Susu has permission
to see it up close.
364
00:25:18,730 --> 00:25:21,916
With the help
of computer design,
365
00:25:21,940 --> 00:25:23,186
these poles and balls
366
00:25:23,210 --> 00:25:26,870
will form the complicated
multi-curved roof.
367
00:25:44,790 --> 00:25:47,906
But with
75,000 individual parts,
368
00:25:47,930 --> 00:25:52,430
assembling this super-sized roof
could be a big challenge.
369
00:26:20,830 --> 00:26:23,976
With the basic shape
of the terminal in place,
370
00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,770
the complicated space-frame roof
can be built.
371
00:26:30,310 --> 00:26:34,806
First, eight huge columns
are made.
372
00:26:34,830 --> 00:26:38,610
Then the gigantic roof is
constructed in several segments.
373
00:26:49,060 --> 00:26:51,866
Each section
must be positioned precisely
374
00:26:51,890 --> 00:26:53,830
with two-millimeter accuracy.
375
00:26:56,700 --> 00:26:58,446
Any error could jeopardize
376
00:26:58,470 --> 00:27:00,630
the stability
of the whole structure.
377
00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,756
The center section
is lifted last,
378
00:27:11,780 --> 00:27:14,780
completing this astonishing
space frame.
379
00:27:25,510 --> 00:27:27,656
Inside, cladding is added,
380
00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:30,496
which dampens the noise
in the terminal.
381
00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:31,596
On the roof,
382
00:27:31,620 --> 00:27:34,880
8,000 panes of glass
make the skylights.
383
00:27:36,820 --> 00:27:40,906
And 40,000 sections
of sparkling aluminum cladding
384
00:27:40,930 --> 00:27:44,890
finish this
incredible structure.
385
00:28:01,100 --> 00:28:03,176
Visiting architect Wendy Fok
386
00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:07,016
is taking in
this gravity-defying marvel.
387
00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:08,746
For me,
I think the roof structure
388
00:28:08,770 --> 00:28:11,316
is just absolutely incredible.
389
00:28:11,340 --> 00:28:14,806
You barely even see
any of the columns,
390
00:28:14,830 --> 00:28:16,556
especially standing
in the center point.
391
00:28:16,580 --> 00:28:19,250
You can really see
everything from here.
392
00:28:22,070 --> 00:28:23,866
The colossal roof needs
393
00:28:23,890 --> 00:28:26,736
just eight columns
to support it,
394
00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:29,736
only possible because
the space-frame engineering
395
00:28:29,760 --> 00:28:33,386
allows such long
and lightweight spans.
396
00:28:33,410 --> 00:28:38,556
I think it's actually incredible
that so many components
397
00:28:38,580 --> 00:28:43,916
were brought together to make
this gigantic roof system.
398
00:28:43,940 --> 00:28:48,086
It required so many
innovative systems
399
00:28:48,110 --> 00:28:52,256
to really put together
the different pieces of the roof
400
00:28:52,280 --> 00:28:55,150
and then joining it
with such precision.
401
00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:00,636
This is truly one of the most
remarkable roof structures
402
00:29:00,660 --> 00:29:02,170
that I've ever seen.
403
00:29:08,630 --> 00:29:10,776
But engineers are about to face
404
00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:13,896
their greatest challenge yet,
taking on
405
00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:17,140
one of the most destructive
forces on the planet.
406
00:29:38,860 --> 00:29:40,306
Engineers in China
407
00:29:40,330 --> 00:29:43,200
are attempting
to achieve the impossible.
408
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:53,316
This is the Beijing dashing
international airport,
409
00:29:53,340 --> 00:29:57,636
a futuristic engineering marvel
on track to become
410
00:29:57,660 --> 00:29:59,830
the biggest airport
on the planet.
411
00:30:03,190 --> 00:30:06,566
The way that it's
constructed is truly amazing.
412
00:30:06,590 --> 00:30:09,666
I think it is really remarkable
413
00:30:09,690 --> 00:30:13,260
that the engineers were able
to make this happen.
414
00:30:16,900 --> 00:30:19,176
Across the new airport site,
415
00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:23,686
422.7 million gallons
of concrete form the runways
416
00:30:23,710 --> 00:30:27,816
and base of the massive
seven-story terminal.
417
00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:31,526
Its steel roof weighs
more than 57,000 tons
418
00:30:31,550 --> 00:30:34,550
and is held up
by only eight columns.
419
00:30:37,270 --> 00:30:38,996
Engineers must now take on
420
00:30:39,020 --> 00:30:42,160
one of the most serious
challenges of the project.
421
00:30:55,170 --> 00:30:58,046
It's a life-or-death problem
that falls on
422
00:30:58,070 --> 00:31:02,080
engineer Wang Qiang
and the design team to solve.
423
00:31:23,630 --> 00:31:27,046
It's common for Beijing
to experience earthquakes
424
00:31:27,070 --> 00:31:29,246
of 2 or 3 on the Richter scale,
425
00:31:29,270 --> 00:31:32,190
but they can be
much more severe.
426
00:31:36,540 --> 00:31:38,326
During a devastating earthquake,
427
00:31:38,350 --> 00:31:41,856
how do you ensure this vast
transport hub is protected
428
00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:43,896
and remains operational?
429
00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:46,496
To solve this critical problem,
430
00:31:46,520 --> 00:31:49,620
engineers must look
to history's ancient innovators.
431
00:32:03,570 --> 00:32:06,466
Archeologist Gabriel Zuchtriegel
is investigating
432
00:32:06,490 --> 00:32:08,466
an ancient Greek settlement
433
00:32:08,490 --> 00:32:12,556
which could help
the engineers in China.
434
00:32:12,580 --> 00:32:15,356
We are in Italy,
south of Naples,
435
00:32:15,380 --> 00:32:18,776
but the site we are looking at
is actually a Greek site
436
00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:21,596
because the Greeks
founded colonies in Italy.
437
00:32:21,620 --> 00:32:23,456
And one of them is Paestum,
438
00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:28,276
which was a big city
founded around 600 B.C.
439
00:32:28,300 --> 00:32:30,810
But building in Italy
is difficult.
440
00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:37,216
It's one of the most
seismically active regions
441
00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:38,836
in Europe.
442
00:32:38,860 --> 00:32:44,136
We had some major
earthquakes in recent years,
443
00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:48,696
and we saw that many
modern buildings collapsed.
444
00:32:48,720 --> 00:32:51,896
What we see on some
classical sites like Paestum
445
00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:54,236
is that there are
still buildings standing
446
00:32:54,260 --> 00:32:56,466
from 2,500 years ago,
447
00:32:56,490 --> 00:32:59,166
and you ask yourself,
"how is it possible
448
00:32:59,190 --> 00:33:02,710
that these buildings
have resisted for so much time?"
449
00:33:05,230 --> 00:33:07,146
Ancient Greek civil engineers
450
00:33:07,170 --> 00:33:10,046
built incredible temples,
451
00:33:10,070 --> 00:33:12,710
many of which have survived
to this day.
452
00:33:15,860 --> 00:33:18,950
These are the stunning temples
of Paestum.
453
00:33:25,190 --> 00:33:28,396
We have three Greek temples
still standing here,
454
00:33:28,420 --> 00:33:32,036
and the biggest one,
the Neptune temple,
455
00:33:32,060 --> 00:33:34,986
it has six columns
on the short side,
456
00:33:35,010 --> 00:33:37,696
14 columns on the long side,
457
00:33:37,720 --> 00:33:41,616
5th century B.C.E.,
still standing.
458
00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:45,666
An extraordinary example
of Greek engineering
459
00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:49,386
because it resisted
all the earthquakes.
460
00:33:49,410 --> 00:33:52,786
Coming from a highly active
earthquake zone themselves,
461
00:33:52,810 --> 00:33:54,806
the ancient Greek engineers
462
00:33:54,830 --> 00:33:58,396
had an ingenious way
to tackle the problem.
463
00:33:58,420 --> 00:34:02,636
While the foundations
are very, very solid,
464
00:34:02,660 --> 00:34:05,356
the columns
are much more flexible,
465
00:34:05,380 --> 00:34:08,606
and you see they are built
of several pieces.
466
00:34:08,630 --> 00:34:09,686
We call them drums.
467
00:34:09,710 --> 00:34:11,106
They didn't use any mortar,
468
00:34:11,130 --> 00:34:14,116
and so it's not rigid,
solid block,
469
00:34:14,140 --> 00:34:16,746
but it's pieces,
one piece sitting on the other
470
00:34:16,770 --> 00:34:21,456
so they can move and swing
up to a certain degree.
471
00:34:21,480 --> 00:34:24,756
And as soon as you have
more than one element,
472
00:34:24,780 --> 00:34:27,700
the behavior
of the column changes.
473
00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:33,266
Building columns from
several drums without mortar
474
00:34:33,290 --> 00:34:38,766
was crucial to these temples'
ability to resist earthquakes.
475
00:34:38,790 --> 00:34:40,856
It's a technique
that could help the engineers
476
00:34:40,880 --> 00:34:43,896
in dashing airport.
477
00:34:43,920 --> 00:34:47,316
We have here our column,
but it's one piece.
478
00:34:47,340 --> 00:34:51,516
We glued it all together,
so when we have an earthquake,
479
00:34:51,540 --> 00:34:55,116
we see that it shakes,
it behaves as one piece.
480
00:34:55,140 --> 00:34:58,156
And you have a high
concentration of energy here,
481
00:34:58,180 --> 00:35:01,096
and then
it eventually collapses.
482
00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:03,246
The movement the earthquake
483
00:35:03,270 --> 00:35:07,136
is totally transmitted
to the top of the structure.
484
00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:09,136
But the column drums
in these temples
485
00:35:09,160 --> 00:35:11,506
are not stuck together
with mortar,
486
00:35:11,530 --> 00:35:16,306
so Gabriel is repeating the
experiment with separate blocks.
487
00:35:16,330 --> 00:35:20,816
And look what happens if you
don't have one rigid piece
488
00:35:20,840 --> 00:35:25,186
but a column built
of several pieces,
489
00:35:25,210 --> 00:35:27,506
and now the earthquake comes.
490
00:35:27,530 --> 00:35:31,226
And you see
that I can put in more energy
491
00:35:31,250 --> 00:35:33,656
and it still doesn't collapse,
492
00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:38,066
and you can see how it opens
and closes the single elements.
493
00:35:38,090 --> 00:35:42,066
And basically,
each element absorbs energy,
494
00:35:42,090 --> 00:35:44,916
so much less arrives at the top
495
00:35:44,940 --> 00:35:49,206
than what the earthquake
gives in at the bottom.
496
00:35:49,230 --> 00:35:50,746
So this is the original
497
00:35:50,770 --> 00:35:55,200
ancient Greek damper
and isolation system.
498
00:36:00,340 --> 00:36:03,056
This isolation method
provides astonishing
499
00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:06,180
earthquake resistance
for these monumental temples.
500
00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:11,246
This structure has been standing
501
00:36:11,270 --> 00:36:13,196
for 2 1/2 thousand years.
502
00:36:13,220 --> 00:36:15,070
It's really a great achievement.
503
00:36:26,800 --> 00:36:29,696
At the dashing airport in China,
504
00:36:29,720 --> 00:36:32,036
engineers are using
similar principles
505
00:36:32,060 --> 00:36:33,816
to the early Greek
temple builders
506
00:36:33,840 --> 00:36:37,240
to protect this pioneering
terminal from earthquakes.
507
00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:42,680
But here,
it's on a much bigger scale.
508
00:36:55,010 --> 00:36:57,526
Beijing is located
in the earthquake zone
509
00:36:57,550 --> 00:36:59,356
in northern China,
510
00:36:59,380 --> 00:37:02,226
so engineers must use
unique building principles
511
00:37:02,250 --> 00:37:04,896
to ensure
that Beijing dashing airport
512
00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:08,090
is protected
in case of an earthquake.
513
00:37:53,770 --> 00:37:55,916
The dampers are made
from a stack
514
00:37:55,940 --> 00:37:59,306
of 30 rubber and steel discs
on a spindle.
515
00:37:59,330 --> 00:38:01,336
Like the stones
in the Greek columns,
516
00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:03,776
they're not stuck together.
517
00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:05,306
In an earthquake,
518
00:38:05,330 --> 00:38:07,596
instead of holding
the building firm,
519
00:38:07,620 --> 00:38:11,466
they let it move horizontally
back and forth.
520
00:38:11,490 --> 00:38:13,086
This dissipates the energy,
521
00:38:13,110 --> 00:38:15,630
isolating the terminal
from the earthquake.
522
00:38:18,630 --> 00:38:21,176
They also have
another surprising benefit
523
00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:23,980
for this unique transport hub.
524
00:38:41,290 --> 00:38:46,436
Throughout the site,
1,152 base isolation dampers...
525
00:38:46,460 --> 00:38:50,490
Were installed
on top of the pillars.
526
00:38:53,870 --> 00:38:56,876
The finished terminal
can safely withstand earthquakes
527
00:38:56,900 --> 00:38:58,830
up to 8 on the Richter scale...
528
00:39:01,970 --> 00:39:07,580
...making it the largest anti-
seismic building in the world.
529
00:39:17,590 --> 00:39:19,596
Now close to completion,
530
00:39:19,620 --> 00:39:21,816
New York-based architect
Wendy Fok
531
00:39:21,840 --> 00:39:25,486
has special access to
the airport construction site.
532
00:39:25,510 --> 00:39:28,746
Considering how massive
this airport is,
533
00:39:28,770 --> 00:39:30,296
I think it's incredible
534
00:39:30,320 --> 00:39:33,326
that the engineers were able
to find a way
535
00:39:33,350 --> 00:39:37,216
to make this entire terminal
earthquake-proof.
536
00:39:37,240 --> 00:39:40,286
I think that's something
that's truly remarkable
537
00:39:40,310 --> 00:39:41,980
about this project.
538
00:39:45,050 --> 00:39:47,566
This entire terminal
has been built
539
00:39:47,590 --> 00:39:49,966
in just three years
and nine months,
540
00:39:49,990 --> 00:39:55,236
a stunning achievement
for an airport of this size.
541
00:39:55,260 --> 00:39:56,506
This is so amazing.
542
00:39:56,530 --> 00:39:59,126
This structure
really just boggles your mind
543
00:39:59,150 --> 00:40:00,326
on how many pieces
544
00:40:00,350 --> 00:40:03,046
and how many people
actually made this possible.
545
00:40:03,070 --> 00:40:05,900
It's truly
an engineering phenomenon.
546
00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:19,046
This mega airport site
is more than 17 square miles.
547
00:40:19,070 --> 00:40:23,246
The terminal is the star
attraction with seven floors
548
00:40:23,270 --> 00:40:26,836
and a 57,000-ton
multi-curved roof.
549
00:40:26,860 --> 00:40:30,706
It will run
880,000 flights a year.
550
00:40:30,730 --> 00:40:33,746
It's the world's first airport
to have high-speed railway,
551
00:40:33,770 --> 00:40:38,100
subway, and airport express
trains all passing beneath it.
552
00:40:46,130 --> 00:40:50,026
Now complete, the Beijing
dashing international airport
553
00:40:50,050 --> 00:40:52,746
is becoming
a vital transport hub
554
00:40:52,770 --> 00:40:55,750
for 100 million people
every year.
555
00:40:58,470 --> 00:41:01,166
The terminal combines
breathtaking design
556
00:41:01,190 --> 00:41:03,280
with cutting-edge engineering.
557
00:41:08,470 --> 00:41:10,846
This is actually one of
the most beautiful airports
558
00:41:10,870 --> 00:41:12,046
that I have seen.
559
00:41:12,070 --> 00:41:15,116
Projects like this
push the boundaries
560
00:41:15,140 --> 00:41:18,740
of what construction
really could do.
561
00:41:29,490 --> 00:41:33,036
Inspired by
the pioneers of the past
562
00:41:33,060 --> 00:41:36,636
and overcoming
complex challenges,
563
00:41:36,660 --> 00:41:39,376
engineers have pushed
the boundaries
564
00:41:39,400 --> 00:41:41,976
of architecture
and construction.
565
00:41:42,000 --> 00:41:45,966
When I come here
to take flights with my family,
566
00:41:45,990 --> 00:41:50,046
I feel very excited
and very proud.
567
00:41:50,070 --> 00:41:52,006
And they've succeeded
568
00:41:52,030 --> 00:41:56,200
in making the impossible...
Possible.
569
00:41:56,250 --> 00:42:00,800
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