The Basics of Engineering

How Water Creates Sinkholes and Erodes Cities

In this episode, we talk about how the relentless power of water shapes the ground beneath cities, farmland, dams, and levees, leading to sinkholes, internal erosion, and piping failures like the Teton Dam disaster. The script covers how hidden leaks in aging infrastructure, geological formations like limestone, and climate change all contribute to sudden ground collapses. Listeners learn how engineers detect weak points, design safer foundations, reinforce pipelines, and use modern technology to reduce risks while balancing budgets and community needs to protect roads, buildings, and entire neighborhoods.
 
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How Groundwater Affects the Stability of Structures

In this episode, we travel beneath the surface to uncover how water moving silently through soil can make or break some of the world’s biggest structures. We explore why a simple flow of groundwater can topple dams, swallow workers whole, or sink entire highways, and we follow the hidden lines of defense that engineers build to keep these invisible forces under control. From massive gravity dams to deep subway tunnels and city foundations, every wall and barrier relies on secret layers of drains, cutoffs, and clever designs that guide water safely away. It is a quiet battle underground that keeps life above ground safe, stable, and standing strong.
 
 
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