Steam trains, bridges and potential catastrophe

  • 10 years ago
Professor Martyn Pavier explores steam trains, bridges and potential catastrophe.

By testing how cyclical loading patterns differ from static ones he explains how the effect is a crucial consideration when choosing materials for use in load-bearing structures like railway bridges.

To help demonstrate this continuing importance of materials testing in modern engineering Professor Pavier heads to the station, hops on a lop-sided bicycle and explores the history of the bridge-collapse in the age of steam.

This film is part of a project funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering to develop the on camera communication skills of engineers across the UK.

Find out more on the Ri Channel: http://www.richannel.org/collections/2012/components

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