Steam trains, bridges and potential catastrophe

Professor Martyn Pavier explores steam trains, bridges and potential catastrophe.

By testing how cyclical loading patterns differ from static ones he explains how the effect is a crucial consideration when choosing materials for use in load-bearing structures like railway bridges.

To help demonstrate this continuing importance of materials testing in modern engineering Professor Pavier heads to the station, hops on a lop-sided bicycle and explores the history of the bridge-collapse in the age of steam.

This film is part of a project funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering to develop the on camera communication skills of engineers across the UK.

Find out more on the Ri Channel: http://www.richannel.org/collections/2012/components