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Publications [#268204] of Henry Petroski

Papers Published

  1. Petroski, H, Controlled demolition, American Scientist, vol. 99 no. 3 (January, 2011), pp. 195-199, Sigma Xi, ISSN 0003-0996 [doi]
    (last updated on 2023/06/01)

    Abstract:
    Henry Petroski explains how removing structures can require nearly as much planning as building them. Henry refers to the case with the revered Yankee Stadium, 'the house that Ruth built' in the 1920s. After much posturing to keep the team playing in New York City, construction of a new stadium began in 2006. The construction site was located on parkland across the street from the old stadium, in which the Yankees continued to play ball. The use of explosives to implode the old stadium would certainly have speeded up the process, but at risk to the surrounding area. Obsolescence and safety considerations can also demand the destruction of an old bridge that is too narrow or too weak for the expectations and demands of today's traffic. The temperature of the flames naturally heated up the steel columns, which time became softened to the point where they could not support the load that bore down on them.


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