Empire State Building | All the Secrets of the Engineering Wonder

Summary

The video script narrates the remarkable history and construction of the Empire State Building, highlighting its resilience after a 1945 aircraft crash. It details the innovative steel structure, the 'sky boys' who assembled it, and the building's unique design, which contributed to its record as the world's tallest at the time. The script also touches on the fierce competition with the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building's impressive 13-month construction timeline, showcasing the ingenuity and teamwork behind this architectural marvel.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The Empire State Building is an iconic structure in the United States, known for its incredible strength, which was tested when a bomber aircraft crashed into it in 1945.
• 👷‍♂️ The 'sky boys', or steel workers, were instrumental in constructing the building's impressive steel framework at a height of 443 meters, showcasing their skill and courage.
• 🔩 The building's backbone consists of 210 steel columns, with 12 uninterrupted columns reaching the top, and millions of rivets were used in its construction.
• 🏗️ The construction process involved complex logistics, such as the use of derricks to lift materials to great heights and innovative methods for aligning the columns vertically.
• 📏 The building's design underwent 15 modifications during construction, influenced by competition with the nearby Chrysler Building for the title of the world's tallest tower.
• 🏢 The Empire State Building was completed with 102 floors, starting with a plan for only 50, due to the intense rivalry with the Chrysler Building.
• 📈 The building's design features a 'pencil' shape to give the appearance of height, with no change in width from the 29th to the 71st floor.
• 🧱 The exterior of the building was initially unpolished, with visible columns, but the introduction of spandrel beams and limestone cladding created the distinctive curtain wall design.
• ⏳ The construction of the Empire State Building was remarkably fast, taking only 13 months from start to finish, a testament to perfect engineering and planning.
• 🚇 The building's foundation is strong, laid at a depth of 17 meters to support its weight of approximately 365,000 tons, which is possible due to the solid underground stone of New York.
• 🛗 The Empire State Building features 73 elevators, with a system designed to reach the top floor with the least number of stops, divided into seven parts.

Q & A

What significant event occurred at the Empire State Building in 1945?

In 1945, a speeding bomber aircraft accidentally crashed into the Empire State Building, causing significant damage but the building remained standing.

Who were the 'sky boys' and what was their role in the construction of the Empire State Building?

The 'sky boys' were steel workers who were responsible for aligning and riveting the steel structure of the Empire State Building at a height of 443 meters.

How many steel columns were erected for the Empire State Building and how many of them reach the top?

A total of 210 steel columns were erected for the Empire State Building, with 12 of them being uninterrupted, reaching the very top.

What was the method used to lift the prefabricated columns to the current floor during construction?

Huge Derricks were used to lift the prefabricated columns to the current floor, which was a challenging task due to the height of the building.

How were the columns aligned vertically after being lifted horizontally?

The columns were aligned vertically using an interesting string trick, which involved removing one string and shifting the other to the other end to lift the column vertically.

What is a girder and how does it contribute to the strength of the Empire State Building?

A girder is a structure that connects the columns and provides immense strength to the building's structure, allowing for the placement of floor beams.

Why was the design of the Empire State Building modified 15 times during its construction?

The design was modified 15 times due to the fierce competition with the nearby Chrysler Building for the title of the world's tallest tower.

What material was used for the floor of the Empire State Building and how was it secured?

Terracotta was used for the floor, consisting of individual blocks that lock perfectly between two floor beams, with a concrete layer added for reinforcement.

How did the construction of the Empire State Building achieve such a fast completion time of 13 months?

The construction was achieved in 13 months through perfect engineering, planning, prefabrication of structures, parallel execution of different construction activities, and employing a large workforce of 3,400 workers.

What is the significance of the spandrel beam in the exterior wall construction of the Empire State Building?

The spandrel beam was introduced as a new support structure to hide the columns, giving a more polished and aesthetically pleasing appearance to the exterior walls.

How was the Empire State Building able to withstand the impact of the 1945 bomber aircraft crash?

The Empire State Building's strength came from its robust steel structure, which allowed it to withstand the impact and only require one week of repair work before reopening.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ The Resilience and Construction of the Empire State Building

This paragraph details the remarkable event in 1945 when a bomber aircraft crashed into the Empire State Building, highlighting the building's incredible strength and the secret behind it—the hard work of steelworkers, known as 'sky boys.' The summary explains how the building's impressive steel structure, standing at 443 meters, was erected with 210 steel columns, 12 of which reach the top uninterrupted. It describes the process of lifting, aligning, and riveting the columns, as well as the architectural progression involving girders and floor beams. The building's design, inspired by a pencil, aimed to achieve the title of the world's tallest building, a competition that led to multiple design modifications during construction. The paragraph also touches on the building's Art Deco floors, the highest observatory, and the record-breaking speed of its construction.

05:00

🛠️ The Empire State Building's Construction Techniques and Efficiency

The second paragraph delves into the construction techniques and efficiency that allowed the Empire State Building to be completed in just 13 months. It discusses the prefabrication of structures, the daily delivery of materials by 500 trucks, and the use of railroad tracks for internal material transport. The parallel execution of different construction activities, such as excavation beginning before the previous building's demolition and facade work on lower floors before the completion of upper columns, contributed to the project's swift completion. The paragraph also addresses the innovative elevator system, which was divided into seven parts to minimize stops, and the building's foundation, which was laid 17 meters deep to support its massive weight. Additionally, it mentions the 1945 accident as an example of the building's strength, the quick repair, and the channel's plea for support on Patreon.

Keywords

💡Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a landmark skyscraper in New York City, known for its Art Deco style and historical significance. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the building's strength, construction, and resilience, such as when a bomber aircraft crashed into it in 1945. The script describes the building's design and construction process, emphasizing its iconic status.

💡Sky boys

Sky boys were the steelworkers responsible for constructing the steel framework of the Empire State Building. They are highlighted in the script for their bravery and skill in working at great heights, aligning and riveting the steel structure. Their work is crucial to the building's strength and is a testament to the human effort behind such architectural marvels.

💡Steel columns

Steel columns are the vertical supports that form the backbone of the Empire State Building's structure. The script mentions that a total of 210 steel columns were erected, with 12 of them being uninterrupted, reaching the top of the building. These columns are integral to the building's design and its ability to withstand impacts, such as the 1945 aircraft crash.

💡Girders

Girders are large beams used in construction to connect columns and provide structural strength. In the context of the Empire State Building, the script describes how a structure called a girder connects the columns, contributing to the building's immense strength and stability.

💡Riveting

Riveting is a method used to join metal components, such as the steel columns in the Empire State Building. The script details the riveting operation performed by groups of four skyboys, who worked in coordination to secure the columns in place. This process was essential for the structural integrity of the building.

💡Prefabrication

Prefabrication refers to the process of manufacturing building components in a factory and then transporting them to the construction site. The script mentions the importance of prefabrication in the Empire State Building's construction, where the position and size of holes in the structures had to be perfectly planned and cut, contributing to the speed and efficiency of the construction process.

💡Terracotta

Terracotta is a type of clay used in construction, particularly for the floor of the Empire State Building. The script describes the terracotta floor as consisting of individual blocks that lock perfectly between floor beams, providing a strong and durable surface. A concrete layer was added for reinforcement.

💡Curtain wall

A curtain wall is a non-structural outer covering of a building, often made of glass and metal or stone. The script explains that the Empire State Building features a characteristic curtain wall design, with alternating patterns of limestone and glass, which gives the building its distinctive appearance.

💡Elevator system

The elevator system in the Empire State Building is a complex arrangement designed to efficiently transport people to various floors with minimal stops. The script illustrates how the system was divided into seven parts, each covering a portion of the building's height, reflecting the building's innovative approach to vertical transportation.

💡Foundation

The foundation of a building is the base upon which it rests and supports its weight. The script describes the Empire State Building's foundation as being laid at a depth of 17 meters, utilizing the strong underground stone of New York to bear the building's massive weight of approximately 365,000 tons.

💡Construction timeline

The construction timeline refers to the duration over which a building is constructed. The script is amazed by the fact that the Empire State Building, a massive structure, was completed in just 13 months. This rapid construction was achieved through parallel execution of different activities and meticulous planning.

Highlights

In 1945, a bomber aircraft crashed into the Empire State Building, but the iconic structure withstood the impact, showcasing its incredible strength.

The strength of the Empire State Building is attributed to the hard work of steel workers, known as sky boys, who aligned and riveted the steel structure at a height of 443 meters.

The building features 210 steel columns, with 12 uninterrupted columns reaching the top, forming the backbone of the structure.

Girders connect the steel columns, providing immense strength to the building's structure.

Prefabricated columns were lifted using Derricks, requiring precise alignment and vertical placement, achieved with a string trick.

A group of four skyboys coordinated to rivet or bolt the columns, with millions of rivets used in the construction.

The Empire State Building's design was modified 15 times during construction due to competition with the Chrysler Building.

The building's design resembles a pencil, with a consistent width from the 29th to the 71st floor to give the appearance of height.

The Empire State Building held the title of the tallest tower for 40 years until the World Trade Center surpassed it in 1971.

The building's floor is made of terracotta blocks that lock perfectly between floor beams, reinforced with a concrete layer.

Spandrel beams were introduced to hide columns and improve the exterior wall's appearance.

Indiana limestone and glass windows create the building's characteristic curtain wall design.

Construction of the Empire State Building was completed in just 13 months, an impressive feat even by modern standards.

Prefabricated structures and parallel execution of construction activities contributed to the rapid completion of the building.

The building's foundation was laid at a depth of 17 meters to support its massive weight of approximately 365,000 tons.

The Empire State Building's elevator system is divided into seven parts, each covering a portion of the building's height.

The building features 73 elevators, which take up a significant portion of the floor space, reducing office area.

The Empire State Building's strength was demonstrated in 1945 when it was hit by a bomber aircraft and reopened within a week after repairs.

Transcripts

in 1945 a speeding bomber aircraft

accidentally crashed into the most

iconic building of the United States the

Empire State Building you might be

expecting something like this huge fire

impact Force damage the engines

destroying the lift system and portion

of the building despite all these the

Empire State Building stood strong the

secret behind its Incredible strength

lies in the hard work of these Steel

Workers known as the sky boys aligning

and riveting this impressive steel

structure at a height of 443 meters

itself required a mind and nerves of

Steel as well as great skill all these

heavy pieces were moved by now primitive

looking basic Derricks their 13 months

of hard work long ago resulted in this

beautiful steel structure that still

proudly stands today

the backbone of this building is the

steel columns a total of 210 steel

columns were erected for this building

12 of those columns are uninterrupted

reaching the very top of the building

let's take a closer look at the

progression of the columns a structure

called a girder connects the columns and

provides immense strength on this

structure floor beams are connected now

it's time to go up huge Derricks were

used to lift the prefabricated columns

to the current floor however this is not

an easy task material lifting maximum up

to a height of 30-story buildings was

possible by the Derricks of those days

this means if you wanted to lift the

material from the ground floor to the

70th floor there should be two

intermediate Derricks in between this

was such a beautiful operation that the

bypassers used to watch it with awe

while the columns were lifted

horizontally it was a challenge to then

align them vertically before fixing them

in place this was achieved with the help

of an interesting string trick just

remove one string and shift the other

string to the other end if you lift the

column now it will stand vertically The

Columns were then immediately riveted or

bolted with the previous columns a group

of four skyboys worked in perfect

coordination to accomplish this riveting

operation it's fun to know that even the

catcher guy plays an important role here

millions of rivets were used for this

Mega project but nobody knows the exact

number once all the columns were fitted

they started placing girders between

them you can see that as we go up some

columns abruptly stop in between as a

result the size of the building floor

shrank after reaching this height you

can see that the Empire State Building

has five major floor area reductions the

building looks quite striking after it's

covered with the Limestone and glass

does this design resemble something it's

inspired from the shape of an ordinary

pencil The Architects behind this

building wanted to achieve the tag of

tallest building in the world for the

Empire State Building an easy way to

achieve this is by making the building

like this even though officially this

design is the tallest no spectator would

truly call it a tall building instead

they would say that it's wide to give

the appearance of height they opted for

a pencil design you can see that from

the 29th to the 71st floor there is no

change in the width for the building the

topmost office space is on the 85th

floor floors 86 to 102 are Art Deco

floors the highest Observatory is

situated on the 102nd floor another

interesting fact about the Empire State

Building is that its design was modified

15 times during its construction

initially they planned to construct 50

stories but eventually ended up

constructing 102 floors the reason for

this drastic design change was

competition with the nearby Chrysler

Building the competition between these

two towers for the title of the world's

tallest tower was so Fierce that the

design of the Chrysler Building was also

modified many times the Chrysler

Building was completed first and held

the record as the tallest tower in the

world for 11 short months until the

Empire State Building was inaugurated

although Chrysler lost the coveted title

of the tallest building one must admit

that it wins in terms of beauty

especially at night

the Empire State Building held the title

of the tallest tower for 40 years until

1971 when the World Trade Center

overtook the record by a whopping 83

meters

now straight into the construction

achievements of the Empire State

Building for example can you believe the

floor of such a massive building is made

up of simple terracotta the beauty of

the Terracotta floor is that it consists

of plain individual blocks that lock

perfectly between two floor beams the

details of their connection is

Illustrated even if somebody stands on

it this geometrical lock will prevent

any failure a concrete layer was added

to reinforce the Terracotta here's an

interesting challenge for you let's

construct the exterior walls of the

Empire State Building here we're using

the girder as the support for this brick

wall after completing the construction

let's quickly zoom out and see what it

looks like

what an ugly building you've constructed

The Columns are visible giving it an

unpolished look

so what's the solution here introduce a

new support structure called a spandrel

beam if you arrange the bricks on the

newly installed spandrel beam it will

hide all the columns

now it's time to attach the skin of the

building the facade work nearly half of

the wall remains uncovered by Brick

aluminum framed glass windows will

occupy this empty space next we can lay

down some stunning Indiana limestones

they were hooked using a concrete brick

the alternating pattern of limestone and

glass gives the building its

characteristic curtain wall design

after witnessing the sheer scope of the

effort involved in the building's

construction you may be wondering how

they were even able to accomplish such

an enormous task in just 13 months just

to produce this video about the Empire

State Building took three months the

company behind the construction of the

Empire State Building managed only the

planning part of the construction

directly they completely contracted the

execution part of the construction next

Comes The Art of perfectly prefabricated

structures the position of the holes

their size and dimensions of the

structures had to be perfectly planned

and cut at the factory a total of 500

trucks brought materials to the site

every day if a truck was delayed it had

to deliver the material the next day now

the American idea to transport the

material within a floor use railroad

tracks the major reason for the super

fast completion of this project was the

parallel execution of different

construction activities you'll be amazed

to know that the excavation for the

empire state began even before

demolition of the previous building was

complete they began facade work on the

lower floors without completing the

column erection of the upper floors the

office interior and floor work also went

parallel with these activities

to complete this project on time a

whopping number of 3 400 workers were

employed that is perfect engineering

planning and such a massive building got

done in just 13 months something unheard

of even during modern times a tricky

issue to overcome was figuring out how

to reach the top floor via elevator with

the least number of stops the way a

person reaches the topmost floor of this

building starting from the ground floor

is Illustrated in the left side of this

video this was achieved by dividing the

elevator system into seven Parts each

part covered only a portion of the

building height

in fact the elevators take up a large

chunk of floor space in the Empire State

Building sadly the offices are left with

a reduced area this building features a

total of 73 elevators now let's take a

look at the foundation of the world's

most photographed building the total

weight of the building is estimated to

be approximately 365

000 tons thus the concrete foundation

was laid at a depth of 17 meters thanks

to the strong underground Stone of New

York this Foundation was able to Bear

such a huge weight

this is the reason there are so many

skyscrapers in this area

the 1945 bomber aircraft accident is a

perfect example of Empire State Building

strength

the impact of the accident was huge

however the authorities were able to

reopen the building after just one week

of repair work

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