Full Transcript
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gag5IoGl1M4
[00:01] Taiwan is under attack.
[00:06] Unpredictable forces of nature threaten
[00:08] Unpredictable forces of nature threaten the ambitions of this Asian economic
[00:10] the ambitions of this Asian economic giant.
[00:14] To fight back, the island's best minds
[00:16] To fight back, the island's best minds race to deliver innovative ideas.
[00:22] High-tech factories that manufacture
[00:24] High-tech factories that manufacture ultra safe building blocks and assemble
[00:27] ultra safe building blocks and assemble them ultra fast.
[00:34] Now, Taiwan's unconventional
[00:36] Now, Taiwan's unconventional construction method faces its ultimate
[00:39] construction method faces its ultimate test. How to prefabricate buildings of
[00:42] test. How to prefabricate buildings of all shapes and sizes, a billiondoll
[00:45] all shapes and sizes, a billiondoll high-tech factory, a 22,000 seat
[00:49] high-tech factory, a 22,000 seat stadium,
[00:51] stadium, and a towering 38tory residential block.
[00:57] Tempestuous weather,
[00:59] Tempestuous weather, near impossible deadlines, and the
[01:02] near impossible deadlines, and the constant threat of earthquakes combined
[01:05] constant threat of earthquakes combined to make the engineers's job even
[01:07] to make the engineers's job even tougher.
[01:08] tougher. This is like, but is million times
[01:10] This is like, but is million times harder and bigger.
[01:13] harder and bigger. If they succeed, Taiwan's prefab magic
[01:16] If they succeed, Taiwan's prefab magic will become a man-made marvel.
[01:36] [Music]
[01:41] Taiwan, a mountainous island more than
[01:44] Taiwan, a mountainous island more than 30,000 km in size,
[01:51] home to 23 million in people.
[01:56] Rapid industrialization in the late 20th
[01:58] Rapid industrialization in the late 20th century transformed it into an Asian
[02:01] century transformed it into an Asian economic giant.
[02:03] economic giant.
[02:05] Its foreign reserves are now among the world's largest,
[02:09] but Taiwan's growing economy is vulnerable.
[02:17] The island is continually attacked by one of nature's most destructive forces.
[02:22] earthquakes.
[02:24] We have about 200 earthquakes of magnitude five every year and then perhaps we have uh earthquake of magnitude of u six about every three or four a year.
[02:41] Taiwan's geological instability is due to its position on the earth's crust.
[02:47] It sits precariously on the fault line between the Eurasian and the Philippine Sea plates.
[02:56] Constant movement between these two creates powerful shock waves, producing the many earthquakes experienced by
[03:03] the many earthquakes experienced by Taiwan, dangerously exposing its densely populated cities to potential devastation.
[03:13] And many building may not be sufficiently uh strong enough to resist the earthquake force.
[03:20] Beams and columns could be cracked and even more seriously building could be collapsed and causing uh loss of lives.
[03:33] September 21st, 1999.
[03:37] Taiwan's worst nightmare came true.
[03:44] A massive earthquake, more than seven on the RTER scale, strikes the small town of Gigi.
[03:50] It's so powerful that it even rocks Taipei.
[03:55] [Music]
[03:56] In the end, more than 2,000 people lose their lives.
[04:01] The disaster named the Chi-Chi
[04:03] The disaster named the Chi-Chi earthquake cost Taiwan around $9 billion in infrastructure damage.
[04:10] Coming up with stronger building methods is now Taiwan's immediate priority.
[04:20] Government agencies and universities begin exploring innovative ideas to strengthen Taiwan's buildings.
[04:29] Multi-million dollar city icons like Taipei 101 spare no expense to arm themselves with state-of-the-art anti-earthquake devices.
[04:42] Amongst the many individuals working to create unique solutions is engineer Dr. Samuel.
[05:05] Dr. Yin is quick to identify the source of a building's vulnerability when facing an earthquake, its columns and beams.
[05:18] An earthquake attacks them with its powerful lateral movements, violently bending their steel skeletons and causing the concrete bodies to shatter inside and out.
[05:31] As soon as they collapse, the building they hold up is as good as finished.
[05:51] Dr. Yin's solution is to replace the squishy shape of a standard beam or column steel skeleton with a unique circular design.
[06:01] He calls it the yin spiral.
[06:05] The yin spiral is twice as stiff to keep
[06:08] The yin spiral is twice as stiff to keep its shape during the fiercest quakes.
[06:11] It can also dissipate energy more evenly to keep the concrete around it intact, preventing the building it supports from collapsing.
[06:39] But turning Dr. Yin's unique design into a reality is easier said than done.
[06:49] Construction normally takes place on site, exposed to erratic weather conditions and prone to human error.
[07:03] Dr. Yin turns to the magic of prefabrication or prefab construction.
[07:08] Prefabrication or prefab construction for a faster and more accurate alternative.
[07:15] Unlike traditional construction, prefab takes place indoors where the climate is controlled, making the work super fast and hyperefficient.
[07:22] Controlled, making the work super fast and hyperefficient.
[07:31] The finished building blocks are then assembled rapidly on location.
[07:35] It's like putting together a mega Lego set on steroids.
[07:48] Convinced he's found the perfect method, Dr. Yin builds Taiwan's largest and most advanced prefab plant.
[07:57] 10 soccer fields in size.
[08:01] So efficient it can turn out 100,000 cubic meters of concrete blocks in a single year.
[08:13] Out here.
[08:17] The plant's biggest challenge to customize their prefab process for buildings of totally different shapes and sizes.
[08:27] A billion-dollar high-tech factory, a 22,000-seat stadium, and a towering 38-story luxury residential block.
[08:40] Tough deadlines, the unforgiving Taiwanese terrain, and the threat of typhoons will take engineers to breaking point.
[08:53] Will success seal their reputation as Taiwan's genius builder?
[09:03] Taiwan, home to one of the world's largest pre-fabrication factories.
[09:13] The giant workflow, 10 soccer fields in
[09:15] The giant workflow, 10 soccer fields in area, manufactures concrete blocks for mega buildings.
[09:23] Ultra fast and ultra strong.
[09:26] Unlike conventional structures, these prefab buildings can also withstand the most violent earthquakes.
[09:50] The secret to this factory lies in its finely tuned four stage process.
[09:57] [Applause]
[09:57] [Music]
[10:00] The steel shop where high-grade steel is cut and bent into shape.
[10:08] The assembly line where the steel skeletons of prefab building blocks are put together.
[10:14] [Music]
[10:17] And a concrete casting and molding.
[10:19] And a concrete casting and molding facility where the mega building blocks get their final shape ready for delivery.
[10:36] Operational efficiency is crucial.
[10:40] Operational efficiency is crucial.
[10:42] But it's the ingenious machines that give production an edge.
[10:50] Giant spring manufacturing equipment churns out unique steel spirals that form the skeleton of columns and beams.
[10:59] It's an eco-friendly process that reduces the demand for raw steel by 30%.
[11:19] The factory is geared up for the challenge ahead.
[11:24] Time now to turn theory into practice.
[11:27] Are they up to the task to prefab three massive buildings of different sizes and shapes in record time?
[11:36] The Taipei Stadium, the 38story Ocean Blue Condominium, and the largest of all, the 600,000 square meter Inelux plant.
[11:52] Interux is a homegrown liquid crystal display manufacturer in Taiwan's rapidly growing IT industry.
[12:00] The billiondoll business is one of Taiwan's most important exports.
[12:06] For companies like Inelux to stay competitive, they require high-tech factories to assemble their sophisticated products.
[12:14] The faster they get their factory built, the earlier they can generate income.
[12:25] Inelux's latest factory is their most ambitious to date.
[12:29] In 12 months, engineers have to complete the building and also make it earthquake proof to protect the facto's sophisticated equipment.
[12:39] It's a punishing set of challenges that no standard building methods can meet except for pre-fabrication.
[12:48] Here we have the rebar cage.
[12:52] This engineer Mo is in charge of constructing a building that's up to the job.
[12:59] You know, in the conventional way, if we want to build such a big project, we usually take 2 and 1/2 year.
[13:07] Now, we only take one year.
[13:17] Work starts from the plant's massive foundation.
[13:23] Engineers excavate a gigantic area.
[13:25] Engineers excavate a gigantic area measuring 100,000 square meters.
[13:32] Thousands of tons of steel piles are welded together to form the building's sixstory framework.
[13:37] But these are the easy parts.
[13:43] The biggest challenge is to tailor make the floors of the plant's largest clean room facility.
[13:52] Clean rooms are the most important part of the factory.
[13:56] They prevent environmental pollutants like dust or microbes from ruining the microchips that Interlocks manufactures.
[14:05] Inside, a filtering system controls air contamination levels through multiple ventilation points built into the floor.
[14:14] This means that clean room floors are riddled with large holes.
[14:20] So, how do you construct a giant floor filled with hundreds of holes while making it earthquake proof?
[14:31] The engineers plan is to split the clean room's 48,000 m of flooring into 1,800 smaller sections, making them easier to prefabricate.
[14:44] Then to strengthen each piece, they will double the amount of steel and concrete.
[14:52] At the same time, a massive net of steel will form the frame of the floor, holding the pieces together.
[15:00] In this way, the customized floor is strong and stable enough to withstand the most violent quakes.
[15:11] With the perfect plan in place, the prefab factory now needs to build the perfect floor.
[15:21] First, a crack force of craftsmen binds the steel skeleton of each floor slab together.
[15:27] The work is fast-paced and done entirely by hand.
[15:33] done entirely by hand.
[15:37] And then we have using this skeleton put inside of the mold.
[15:43] inside of the mold.
[15:43] Here is the mode.
[15:45] Here you can see because that they have all these grooved and then all the skeleton of this our concrete slab.
[15:50] They will be fixed into the right location after the skeleton inside and we put the bucket inside here and then we cast the concrete.
[16:05] As the concrete is poured into the mold, the plastic buckets help to form the shape of the vital ventilation holes.
[16:13] With just 22 molds, the factory is able to prefab all 1,800 floor pieces in less than 3 months.
[16:23] And because we have to insert all these tube to get the ventilation, it looks like the cheese.
[16:30] So that we call cheese slab.
[16:35] Cheese. So that we call cheese slab.
[16:41] The last stage of the process is to install each of the 25 ton floor slabs.
[16:48] Not on the ground floor, but four stories up.
[16:54] For engineers, it's the most dangerous part of the construction.
[16:59] The most dangerous things is you can see for this 25 tons uh slab we have to leave it up up to about 30 30 m height and insert into the about 10 m narrow gap.
[17:16] For a job like this you need a heavy lifter.
[17:21] A 120 ton crane capable of hoisting these giant blocks into place.
[17:29] A crew at the top slides and drops the massive sections into the steel framework.
[17:50] You can see now it's up to the right.
[17:54] You can see now it's up to the right floors and with get that one into that.
[17:58] Floors and with get that one into that one.
[18:02] The the most dangerous part is inserting.
[18:05] The the most dangerous part is inserting the slab.
[18:11] If they doesn't make properly, then we have a big problem.
[18:13] If they doesn't make properly, then we have a big problem. There's a big disaster.
[18:15] There's a big disaster.
[18:21] After a harrowing half an hour and with only inches to spare,
[18:26] the slab rests safely at the top and is moved into position.
[18:39] Over 10 months, engineers installed thousands more floor slabs.
[18:44] thousands more floor slabs.
[18:46] and put the finishing touches to the factory.
[18:48] Completion of the project is at last a success.
[18:53] This is an exciting uh experience for me because we have to finish this big project in such a short time.
[18:59] The pre-cast help us to accomplish this mission.
[19:08] With the Interlux plant completed, engineers turned their attention to another mega project, the $70 million Taipei stadium.
[19:19] It usually takes over 30 months to build a stadium this size, but engineers are going to use prefab to shave more than 5 months off the schedule.
[19:36] If they succeed, it will be the fastest stadium ever built in Taiwan.
[19:42] Only one problem.
[19:47] The city of Taipei sits on some of the softest soil on the island.
[19:53] A condition made worse by an extremely high water table that rises during the annual typhoon season.
[20:03] If engineers want to get the stadium ready in time, they will have to prevent it from sinking into the ground.
[20:19] Homegrown innovation has been the powerhouse that's propelled Taiwan into the future.
[20:34] The island's largest pre-fabrication factory is attempting its most ambitious projects to date, constructing three mega buildings in record times.
[20:47] Engineers took just one year to complete
[20:49] Engineers took just one year to complete the massive 600,000 meter interux plant.
[20:57] Now they turn their attention to their
[20:59] Now they turn their attention to their next two missions.
[21:01] next two missions. [Music]
[21:05] The 38story Ocean Blue Condominium and
[21:08] The 38story Ocean Blue Condominium and the 22,000 seat Taipei stadium
[21:13] the 22,000 seat Taipei stadium commissioned specially for the 2009 deaf
[21:16] commissioned specially for the 2009 deaf Olympics. The stadium has to be ready in
[21:18] Olympics. The stadium has to be ready in less than 25 months.
[21:20] less than 25 months. [Music]
[21:24] [Music] It usually takes more than 30 months to
[21:26] It usually takes more than 30 months to complete something this big.
[21:30] complete something this big. If engineers succeed, they will make
[21:32] If engineers succeed, they will make construction history.
[21:34] construction history. Engineer leads the project.
[21:56] [Music]
[22:00] [Music] Back at the prefab factory, engineers
[22:03] Back at the prefab factory, engineers customize the stadium's 900 seating
[22:05] customize the stadium's 900 seating slabs.
[22:06] slabs. [Music]
[22:08] [Music] Specially designed molds of different
[22:10] Specially designed molds of different sizes and shapes turn out the 15 cm
[22:13] sizes and shapes turn out the 15 cm thick parts.
[22:16] thick parts. This way, 16 seating slabs can be
[22:19] This way, 16 seating slabs can be completed in a single day. A feat
[22:22] completed in a single day. A feat conventional methods will find hard to
[22:24] conventional methods will find hard to beat.
[22:36] More than 40 steel trusses are also
[22:38] More than 40 steel trusses are also pre-fabricated to form the stadium's
[22:40] pre-fabricated to form the stadium's roof, each weighing 35 tons.
[22:46] roof, each weighing 35 tons. Everything is ready to be assembled.
[22:52] But first, engineers have to overcome a
[22:54] But first, engineers have to overcome a sticky problem that could ruin their
[22:56] sticky problem that could ruin their foundation.
[23:02] soft clay.
[23:06] [Music]
[23:08] [Music] This unstable soil underlies Taipei
[23:11] This unstable soil underlies Taipei because the city sits on a basin.
[23:15] because the city sits on a basin. And as the basin is intersected by four
[23:17] And as the basin is intersected by four rivers, the soil also suffers from a
[23:20] rivers, the soil also suffers from a high water table
[23:22] high water table just 2 m beneath the surface.
[23:35] Complicating the problem even further is
[23:38] Complicating the problem even further is the threat posed by the engineer's
[23:40] the threat posed by the engineer's deadliest foe
[23:43] deadliest foe [Music]
[23:44] [Music] earthquakes
[23:47] because the city of Taipei has a thick
[23:50] because the city of Taipei has a thick layer of soft soil. When earthquake
[23:52] layer of soft soil. When earthquake comes, the earthquake wave will pass
[23:55] comes, the earthquake wave will pass through this thick layer of soft soil
[23:59] through this thick layer of soft soil and some of the earthquake waves will be
[24:02] and some of the earthquake waves will be amplified.
[24:03] amplified. Therefore, the building built on this
[24:06] Therefore, the building built on this layer of soil could suffer serious
[24:10] layer of soil could suffer serious vibrations.
[24:17] For engineers to complete the stadium in
[24:19] For engineers to complete the stadium in time, they need a solution that will
[24:21] time, they need a solution that will both stabilize their soft foundation and
[24:23] both stabilize their soft foundation and counter the threat of an earthquake.
[24:31] Pre-fabrication can't help engineers in
[24:34] Pre-fabrication can't help engineers in this situation.
[24:36] this situation. They need to come up with an alternative
[24:38] They need to come up with an alternative solution.
[24:44] One option is to drill steel foundation
[24:47] One option is to drill steel foundation piles deep into the earth,
[24:50] piles deep into the earth, but it's a time-consuming process and
[24:54] but it's a time-consuming process and the amount of steel needed makes it an
[24:56] the amount of steel needed makes it an expensive scheme.
[25:00] What's worse, an earthquake or a hidden
[25:02] What's worse, an earthquake or a hidden pocket of clay could destabilize the
[25:05] pocket of clay could destabilize the steel piles, causing part of the stadium
[25:08] steel piles, causing part of the stadium to collapse.
[25:16] Engineers turn to a conventional but
[25:18] Engineers turn to a conventional but highly effective technique to tackle
[25:20] highly effective technique to tackle both problems.
[25:23] both problems. Matt foundations.
[25:29] Engineers will excavate close to 5 m
[25:32] Engineers will excavate close to 5 m down until they hit sand, a stronger and
[25:35] down until they hit sand, a stronger and heavier material than clay.
[25:38] heavier material than clay. Then they'll place a bed of steel onto
[25:40] Then they'll place a bed of steel onto the sand, reinforced with concrete,
[25:43] the sand, reinforced with concrete, creating a matte foundation.
[25:47] creating a matte foundation. By building countless matte foundations
[25:50] By building countless matte foundations around the 600 m circumference of the
[25:52] around the 600 m circumference of the stadium, the weight of the structure is
[25:55] stadium, the weight of the structure is distributed evenly across and under the
[25:58] distributed evenly across and under the site, allowing it to sit undisturbed
[26:01] site, allowing it to sit undisturbed within the soft clay and high water
[26:03] within the soft clay and high water table.
[26:04] table. [Music]
[26:07] [Music] Even if an earthquake hits, the stadium
[26:09] Even if an earthquake hits, the stadium will move as one in the soft soil, just
[26:12] will move as one in the soft soil, just like a ship floating at sea.
[26:29] [Music]
[26:31] [Music] Work begins.
[26:35] First, engineers construct a series of
[26:37] First, engineers construct a series of waterproof steel structures called
[26:39] waterproof steel structures called coffer dams.
[26:42] coffer dams. These temporary structures surround the
[26:44] These temporary structures surround the work site with a wall of steel sheet
[26:46] work site with a wall of steel sheet piles, making it safe to work inside.
[26:52] Then they assemble the steel skeleton of
[26:54] Then they assemble the steel skeleton of the matte foundation.
[26:59] Workers pour tons upon tons of fast
[27:02] Workers pour tons upon tons of fast setting concrete to give the foundation
[27:04] setting concrete to give the foundation its final shape.
[27:07] its final shape. But before engineers can finish their
[27:09] But before engineers can finish their work, disaster strikes.
[27:25] The annual typhoon season hits Taipei.
[27:29] The annual typhoon season hits Taipei. A category 2 typhoon makes landfall east
[27:32] A category 2 typhoon makes landfall east of the city,
[27:34] of the city, causing flash floods and landslides,
[27:38] causing flash floods and landslides, clocking wind speeds of more than 180 km
[27:41] clocking wind speeds of more than 180 km per hour.
[27:45] At the stadium, almost all the
[27:47] At the stadium, almost all the confidants are inundated with rain.
[27:52] It's a major setback for the crew.
[28:20] engineers work non-stop to come up with
[28:22] engineers work non-stop to come up with the most efficient salvage brand.
[28:27] They use every pump at their disposal to
[28:30] They use every pump at their disposal to discharge the water from the coffer
[28:32] discharge the water from the coffer dams.
[28:49] engineers overcome the potential
[28:51] engineers overcome the potential disaster.
[28:53] disaster. [Music]
[28:53] [Music] [Applause]
[28:55] [Applause] [Music]
[28:58] [Music] Now they begin to assemble the rest of
[29:00] Now they begin to assemble the rest of the structure at breakneck speed.
[29:04] the structure at breakneck speed. [Music]
[29:06] [Music] The stadium's 900 seating slabs go into
[29:08] The stadium's 900 seating slabs go into position in just 2 months.
[29:12] position in just 2 months. Three men and a crane are all it takes
[29:14] Three men and a crane are all it takes to get the job done.
[29:18] And after bolting its massive roof
[29:20] And after bolting its massive roof trusses into place, Taipei Stadium
[29:22] trusses into place, Taipei Stadium begins to take its final shape.
[29:27] Engineers have successfully met their
[29:30] Engineers have successfully met their tight deadline.
[29:54] With the stadium complete, the prefab
[29:56] With the stadium complete, the prefab factory begins work on another giant
[29:58] factory begins work on another giant project.
[30:02] a towering luxury condominium called
[30:04] a towering luxury condominium called Ocean Blue.
[30:16] At 38 stories, Ocean Blue will be the
[30:19] At 38 stories, Ocean Blue will be the tallest prefab building in Taiwan,
[30:22] tallest prefab building in Taiwan, constructed in less than 2 years.
[30:28] Almost immediately, engineers face a
[30:30] Almost immediately, engineers face a major challenge.
[30:33] major challenge. To make such a tall building earthquake
[30:35] To make such a tall building earthquake proof, they will have to build
[30:37] proof, they will have to build structural supports of near impossible
[30:39] structural supports of near impossible dimensions.
[30:41] dimensions. If we use a conventional method, it
[30:43] If we use a conventional method, it definitely you you will have a big
[30:46] definitely you you will have a big column and the big beam that will cost a
[30:49] column and the big beam that will cost a lot of money and uh and because the big
[30:52] lot of money and uh and because the big column and the beam will occupy a lot of
[30:55] column and the beam will occupy a lot of space and not good for a residential
[30:57] space and not good for a residential building.
[31:00] Engineers need to bring on
[31:02] Engineers need to bring on state-of-the-art anti-earquake
[31:04] state-of-the-art anti-earquake technology and the magic of
[31:06] technology and the magic of pre-fabrication to create this
[31:09] pre-fabrication to create this residential paradise by the sea.
[31:21] Behind the bustling, prosperous facade
[31:23] Behind the bustling, prosperous facade of one of Asia's economic powerhouses
[31:26] of one of Asia's economic powerhouses lurks a constant threat.
[31:28] lurks a constant threat. [Music]
[31:31] [Music] Taiwan is at the mercy of one of
[31:33] Taiwan is at the mercy of one of nature's most powerful forces.
[31:36] nature's most powerful forces. Earthquakes,
[31:38] Earthquakes, some measuring more than seven on the
[31:40] some measuring more than seven on the Richter scale.
[31:48] To protect its people and its cities,
[31:50] To protect its people and its cities, Taiwan turns to advanced building
[31:52] Taiwan turns to advanced building technology.
[31:56] Pre-fabricated construction could be the
[31:59] Pre-fabricated construction could be the answer.
[32:06] A massive factory creates highquality
[32:08] A massive factory creates highquality concrete building blocks with production
[32:11] concrete building blocks with production line efficiency and then assembles them
[32:14] line efficiency and then assembles them rapidly on site.
[32:18] rapidly on site. Armed with a super tough steel skeleton,
[32:20] Armed with a super tough steel skeleton, these blocks are strong enough to
[32:22] these blocks are strong enough to withstand an earthquake.
[32:27] Engineer Dr. Samuel Yin is proud of his
[32:30] Engineer Dr. Samuel Yin is proud of his achievements.
[32:39] [Music]
[32:55] [Music] Taiwan's largest prefab factory is now
[32:58] Taiwan's largest prefab factory is now facing its biggest challenge to date.
[33:01] facing its biggest challenge to date. Building one of the city's tallest
[33:03] Building one of the city's tallest residential blocks, the 38story Ocean
[33:07] residential blocks, the 38story Ocean Blue Condominium.
[33:09] Blue Condominium. [Music]
[33:13] [Music] Engineers there are trying to overcome
[33:15] Engineers there are trying to overcome their first hurdle.
[33:18] their first hurdle. As expected, the higher you go, the
[33:20] As expected, the higher you go, the tougher it is to defend the building
[33:22] tougher it is to defend the building against earthquakes.
[33:28] To make ocean blue earthquake proof,
[33:31] To make ocean blue earthquake proof, engineers will have to produce columns
[33:33] engineers will have to produce columns of impractical dimensions.
[33:37] They will be too expensive to produce
[33:40] They will be too expensive to produce and take up too much space in the
[33:42] and take up too much space in the structure.
[33:45] Engineers have to figure out a more
[33:47] Engineers have to figure out a more practical solution
[33:51] because earthquake is the most critical
[33:53] because earthquake is the most critical issue in Taiwan. So I we must build this
[33:56] issue in Taiwan. So I we must build this structure earthquake proof.
[34:01] Advanced bridge building technology may
[34:03] Advanced bridge building technology may provide the key
[34:08] via seismic isolators.
[34:14] Invented by New Zealand scientist Dr.
[34:16] Invented by New Zealand scientist Dr. William Robinson in the 1970s, seismic
[34:19] William Robinson in the 1970s, seismic isolators are used in bridge
[34:21] isolators are used in bridge construction to dissipate earthquake
[34:23] construction to dissipate earthquake energy by up to 90%.
[34:29] Installing them under ocean blue could
[34:32] Installing them under ocean blue could help minimize the size of its structural
[34:34] help minimize the size of its structural supports.
[34:56] [Music]
[34:58] [Music] The secret behind this incredible
[35:00] The secret behind this incredible invention lies within each isolator.
[35:04] invention lies within each isolator. Inside, layer upon layer of elastic
[35:07] Inside, layer upon layer of elastic rubber is sandwiched between powerful
[35:09] rubber is sandwiched between powerful steel plates.
[35:12] steel plates. They serve two purposes.
[35:16] to form a padded compact block to
[35:18] to form a padded compact block to support the pressure of a building above
[35:20] support the pressure of a building above it and to maintain the shape of
[35:23] it and to maintain the shape of cylinders made out of lead which is both
[35:26] cylinders made out of lead which is both dense but flexible.
[35:29] dense but flexible. When an earthquake hits, the lead bends
[35:32] When an earthquake hits, the lead bends and adjusts easily with its lateral
[35:34] and adjusts easily with its lateral forces without fracturing,
[35:38] forces without fracturing, absorbing the energy and distributing it
[35:40] absorbing the energy and distributing it away from the supports of a building.
[35:46] It sounds like the perfect answer, but
[35:49] It sounds like the perfect answer, but Ocean Blue engineers need to be sure.
[35:54] So, they put the isolator through an
[35:56] So, they put the isolator through an earthshattering test.
[36:02] Engineers plan to apply 140 tons of
[36:05] Engineers plan to apply 140 tons of pressure to stress and strain the
[36:07] pressure to stress and strain the isolator laterally,
[36:11] adding another 1,200 tons of vertical
[36:13] adding another 1,200 tons of vertical force to simulate a section of the
[36:15] force to simulate a section of the building's weight.
[36:22] Isolate
[36:34] [Music]
[36:42] The test begins.
[36:46] The test begins. [Music]
[36:51] [Music] Hour after hour, earthquake forces of
[36:54] Hour after hour, earthquake forces of seven richer and more strain the
[36:57] seven richer and more strain the isolator. mercilessly.
[37:11] Amazing.
[37:17] [Music]
[37:19] [Music] At the end of the test, the verdict is
[37:21] At the end of the test, the verdict is unanimous.
[37:24] unanimous. The isolators are ready to be installed.
[37:28] The isolators are ready to be installed. [Music]
[37:34] A total of 43 isolators will support
[37:37] A total of 43 isolators will support ocean rule.
[37:40] ocean rule. The largest measuring close to 2 m in
[37:42] The largest measuring close to 2 m in diameter.
[37:44] diameter. These are the biggest isolators ever
[37:47] These are the biggest isolators ever used in Taiwan.
[37:51] After 2 months of careful construction
[37:53] After 2 months of careful construction and installation,
[37:55] and installation, the isolators are finally in place.
[37:59] the isolators are finally in place. This high concrete column and this high
[38:04] This high concrete column and this high concrete base and between these two
[38:06] concrete base and between these two structure is isolated.
[38:09] structure is isolated. We are very happy we can complete it
[38:11] We are very happy we can complete it successfully.
[38:16] With earthquake protection secured,
[38:18] With earthquake protection secured, engineers can now focus on
[38:20] engineers can now focus on prefabricating the rest of the
[38:22] prefabricating the rest of the structure.
[38:25] Conventional methods require 2 weeks to
[38:27] Conventional methods require 2 weeks to complete a floor.
[38:30] complete a floor. With prefab, each floor can be assembled
[38:33] With prefab, each floor can be assembled in a record 8 days, but engineers cannot
[38:37] in a record 8 days, but engineers cannot afford to be complacent.
[38:40] afford to be complacent. Ocean Blue is located on the coast of
[38:42] Ocean Blue is located on the coast of the Taiwan Straits.
[38:45] the Taiwan Straits. Gusts of wind here can hit speeds of
[38:48] Gusts of wind here can hit speeds of more than 20 m/s,
[38:50] more than 20 m/s, making construction a nightmare.
[38:57] If engineers are not careful, the
[39:00] If engineers are not careful, the hoisting operation could easily turn
[39:02] hoisting operation could easily turn into a disaster zone.
[39:09] [Music]
[39:14] Taiwan's destructive earthquakes have
[39:16] Taiwan's destructive earthquakes have finally met their match.
[39:20] finally met their match. [Music]
[39:24] [Music] The island's largest pre-fabrication
[39:26] The island's largest pre-fabrication factory manufactures building blocks
[39:29] factory manufactures building blocks tough enough to protect structures from
[39:31] tough enough to protect structures from an earthquake.
[39:38] [Music]
[39:45] Now the factory is about to complete its
[39:48] Now the factory is about to complete its latest project, Ocean Blue. Engineers
[39:51] latest project, Ocean Blue. Engineers are racing against time to assemble all
[39:54] are racing against time to assemble all 38 floors of the luxury condominium.
[40:00] Only one thing stands between them and
[40:03] Only one thing stands between them and success.
[40:07] The powerful winds of the Taiwan
[40:09] The powerful winds of the Taiwan Straits.
[40:12] Straits. Ocean Blue is right on the coast.
[40:20] Wind speeds here can reach more than 20
[40:22] Wind speeds here can reach more than 20 m/s.
[40:25] m/s. The higher engineers build,
[40:28] The higher engineers build, the stronger the wind,
[40:31] the stronger the wind, making assembly work a tricky business.
[40:36] For engineer Lynn, it's a waiting
[40:38] For engineer Lynn, it's a waiting responsibility.
[40:40] responsibility. The most dangerous part of this process,
[40:42] The most dangerous part of this process, we should consider about the wind force.
[40:44] we should consider about the wind force. If the wind force too heavy, too strong,
[40:48] If the wind force too heavy, too strong, maybe cause the slab to hit the
[40:50] maybe cause the slab to hit the building.
[40:51] building. [Music]
[40:53] [Music] One last floor remains to be assembled.
[40:56] One last floor remains to be assembled. Level 38. Time for some serious lifting
[41:00] Level 38. Time for some serious lifting grunt.
[41:03] grunt. A 440 ton crane will hoist more than 60
[41:06] A 440 ton crane will hoist more than 60 balcony slabs and columns,
[41:10] balcony slabs and columns, some weighing almost 20 tons.
[41:17] It's fraught with danger
[41:20] It's fraught with danger and engineers have only 5 hours to get
[41:23] and engineers have only 5 hours to get it done.
[41:28] [Music]
[41:30] [Music] A single mistake or a strong gust of
[41:32] A single mistake or a strong gust of wind can throw the entire operation into
[41:36] wind can throw the entire operation into chaos.
[41:38] chaos. [Music]
[41:40] [Music] I a little bit nervous. We should be
[41:42] I a little bit nervous. We should be quite quick carefully
[41:45] quite quick carefully uh be because uh underneath should be no
[41:47] uh be because uh underneath should be no people underneath the slap. If what
[41:50] people underneath the slap. If what anything happen may cause big trouble.
[41:53] anything happen may cause big trouble. Okay,
[41:55] Okay, you can see the slap almost go to the
[41:58] you can see the slap almost go to the top. Okay, let's go.
[42:02] top. Okay, let's go. [Music]
[42:08] On the top floor, a small army of
[42:10] On the top floor, a small army of workers assemble the balcony slabs,
[42:13] workers assemble the balcony slabs, beams, and columns with rapid precision.
[42:19] They know that the longer it takes, the
[42:22] They know that the longer it takes, the bigger the chance of something going
[42:24] bigger the chance of something going wrong.
[42:25] wrong. This is like a river, but is million
[42:27] This is like a river, but is million times harder and bigger.
[42:31] As the 5-hour mark draws to a close,
[42:36] As the 5-hour mark draws to a close, the last pieces of the floor finally
[42:38] the last pieces of the floor finally make the climb
[42:40] make the climb and are welded into place.
[42:54] With Ocean Blue now completed, Taiwan's
[42:57] With Ocean Blue now completed, Taiwan's largest prefab factory has achieved its
[42:59] largest prefab factory has achieved its goal of customizing its unique method
[43:02] goal of customizing its unique method for buildings of all shapes and sizes.
[43:07] for buildings of all shapes and sizes. Besides creating the towering 38story
[43:09] Besides creating the towering 38story luxury condominium,
[43:11] luxury condominium, they've also constructed a billiondoll
[43:14] they've also constructed a billiondoll high-tech factory and the 22,000 seat
[43:18] high-tech factory and the 22,000 seat Taipei stadium.
[43:22] For the facto's creator, Dr. to Samuel
[43:24] For the facto's creator, Dr. to Samuel Yin. Success has caught the attention of
[43:27] Yin. Success has caught the attention of some of the world's top engineers.
[43:31] some of the world's top engineers. In 2008, the Russian National Academy of
[43:34] In 2008, the Russian National Academy of Engineering awards him with their first
[43:36] Engineering awards him with their first medal of honor and elects him as an
[43:38] medal of honor and elects him as an academician.
[43:41] academician. Only seven awards have been given out to
[43:43] Only seven awards have been given out to date.
[43:45] date. Samuel receives the eighth from then
[43:47] Samuel receives the eighth from then Russian Prime Minister Victor Zukov.
[44:04] Dr. Yin's next goal to take his
[44:06] Dr. Yin's next goal to take his anti-earquake designs to China.
[44:10] anti-earquake designs to China. A massive 8 Richtor quake has laid waste
[44:13] A massive 8 Richtor quake has laid waste to the province of Sichuan. Thousands of
[44:16] to the province of Sichuan. Thousands of people lost their lives and millions are
[44:19] people lost their lives and millions are left homeless. Foreign
[44:30] [Music]
[44:41] speech. Foreign speech. Foreign speech.
[44:45] [Music]
[44:59] Heat.