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There are certain things in life we expect to move. Cars. Elevators. Roller coasters. A bridge carrying thousands of vehicles several hundred feet above the ground is not usually on that list. But bridges move. They expand. They contract. They flex under loads. They react to wind. Some move several inches as temperatures change. And that's not necessarily a problem. In fact, trying to stop a bridge from moving could create a much bigger one. Welcome back to Why Is It Built Like That?, where we'r …

If you've ever been near the top of a skyscraper and thought you felt the building move, you probably did. Before you start looking for the stairs, that's usually a good thing. Skyscrapers are designed to move. It sounds completely backward. We spend our careers making structures strong, stable, plumb, and secure. The last thing most people want to hear while standing 70 stories above the ground is, "Don't worry. The building is supposed to be moving." But when you're building hundreds or even t …

Construction is full of things that look wrong until you understand why they're right. A skyscraper moves in the wind. A bridge has gaps in it. Concrete is intentionally cut after it's poured. Old brick walls let moisture move through them. A crane lifts enormous loads while a giant stack of weight hangs off the other end. Roads buckle when it gets hot. And somewhere along the way, somebody decided manholes should be round. Most of us walk past these things every day without giving them much tho …

Scaffolding Sagrada Família Most contractors hope their projects don't run behind schedule. Then there's Sagrada Família. Construction on Barcelona's famous basilica began in 1882. More than 140 years later, workers are still building it. Generations of architects, engineers, stoneworkers, sculptors, craftsmen, and construction crews have worked on the structure. Technology has changed dramatically. Construction methods have changed. Equipment has changed. The building has continue …

Scaffolding Notre-Dame On April 15, 2019, people around the world watched as flames engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The roof burned. The famous spire collapsed. Centuries-old timber framing was destroyed. Stone vaults were damaged. And firefighters fought desperately to save one of the world's most recognizable historic buildings. But there was another complication already surrounding the cathedral. Scaffolding. Before the fire began, Notre-Dame was already undergoing restoration. Hundre …