Skip to main content
Access to this video is a benefit for members through

Up Next

Decoding da Vinci

Decoding da Vinci

Season 46 Episode 21
53:31
Polar Extremes

Polar Extremes

Season 47 Episode 1
1:52:46
Dog Tales

Dog Tales

Season 47 Episode 2
53:21
Cat Tales

Cat Tales

Season 47 Episode 3
53:21
Nature's Fear Factor

Nature's Fear Factor

Season 47 Episode 9
53:21
Human Nature

Human Nature

Season 47 Episode 11
1:33:41
Can We Cool the Planet?

Can We Cool the Planet?

Season 47 Episode 16
53:31
Beyond the Elements: Reactions

Beyond the Elements: Reactions

Season 47 Episode 17
53:31
Beyond the Elements: Indestructible

Beyond the Elements: Indestructible

Season 47 Episode 18
53:30
NOVA Season 47

Beyond the Elements: Life

Season 47 Episode 19
53:32
Looking for Life on Mars

Looking for Life on Mars

Season 48 Episode 2
53:46
Reef Rescue

Reef Rescue

Season 48 Episode 4
54:06
Back to Show
NOVA

Why Bridges Collapse

Season 46 Episode 18

In 2018, Italy’s Morandi Bridge collapsed, tragically killing 43 people. For 50 years, the iconic bridge had withstood the elements—and stress from ever-increasing traffic. What went wrong that fateful day? And how can new engineering technology protect bridge infrastructure to prevent such tragic failures in the future?

Watch Preview
Support Provided By
Season
Building Stuff: Reach It!
53:40
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
Building Stuff: Boost It!
53:40
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Decoding the Universe: Quantum
53:40
Dive into the universe at the tiniest – and weirdest – of scales.
Solar System: Wandering Worlds
53:34
Meet the surprising, oddball worlds moving around our solar system.
Solar System: Icy Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Visit strange, frozen worlds to discover the bizarre ice that forms beyond Earth.
Solar System: Volcano Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the powerful volcanic eruptions that have shaped worlds across our solar system.
Solar System: Strange Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
What are the weirdest worlds in our solar system, and how did they come to be?
Solar System: Storm Worlds
Unlock with PBS Passport
53:34
Discover the dramatic forces creating spectacular weather on neighboring planets and moons.
Decoding the Universe: Cosmos
53:38
Explore big discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
Secrets in Your Data
53:40
Find out who’s using your data and what you can do about it.
Great American Eclipse
53:34
Explore the spectacular cosmic phenomenon of a total solar eclipse.
A.I. Revolution
53:30
Explore the promise and perils of new A.I. technologies.
Active loading indicator