Dr. Braden Lusk visits the blast sites of two steel structures that run the risk of blocking channels with blast debris -- one in Corpus Christi, Texas, and the second in Liverpool, England. Because the back legs of the bridge towers have not been pre-weakened, there is a chance that the blast won't go according to plan.
Explosives expert Dr. Braden Lusk and veteran blaster Jim Redyke are at the historic Ponce De Leon Towers as it awaits demolition in Coral Cables, Florida. The building is constructed out of concrete and steel, two heavy-duty materials that react very differently to explosives. With pedestrian traffic and other buildings in close proximity, Jim doesn't want any surprises when he pushes the button.
Explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey reveal how demolition blasters can bring down urban buildings with unprecedented accuracy. Braden travels to Glasgow, Scotland, where blasters are using a computerized detonation system to blast a pair of high-rise towers. In Birmingham, Alabama, Paul and Braden examine the demolition of an old hotel in the downtown area using a mix of explosives.
Explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey explore the blasts of two structures that just can't be brought down with a wrecking ball. Braden goes to Bermuda, where blasters attempt to implode a huge former beach resort built to withstand hurricanes. Paul goes to a towering industrial chimney in the Netherlands that requires the special skills of a blast crew to bring it down to the ground safely.
Explosive experts Dr. Paul Worsey and Dr. Braden Lusk learn how blasters use cutting-edge technologies to take down structures in tight spaces. Paul travels to Glasgow, Scotland, where explosive engineers are attempting to demolish two high-rise towers that sit less than 25 feet from a major commuter rail line. Later, Paul and Braden check out another blast -- the demolition of an old bridge in Pennsylvania that’s just a few feet from its multi-million dollar replacement.
Explosives expert Dr. Paul Worsey focuses on the demolition of a giant office building in Louisville, Kentucky. The building is a challenge because it is located just feet away from a commuter bridge that blasters have to keep safe. In Birmingham, UK, blasters are dealing with a concrete building with columns four-times thicker than normal.
Explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey examine two steel paper mills that are about to get blasted by two totally different methods. In Scotland, a veteran blaster is bringing down a 3,000 ton steel structure buy cutting the building’s legs clean through before blast time. In Canada, a blaster faces his own steel giant, but he’s opted for a powerful explosive to cut through the steel, dropping this beast to the ground.
Explosive experts Dr. Paul Worsey and Dr. Braden Lusk look at exactly how blasters take down huge concrete buildings. Braden travels to Newcastle, England, where the blast team is using a whopping 2,500 detonators to demolish a giant bottling plant. In Missouri, Braden challenges Paul to create his own detonation sequence and Paul lights up the blast lab.
Explosives expert Dr. Paul Worsey reveals the tricks used for the blast of a 2,500 foot long steel bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota. The blaster in charge is Cody Gustafson, and in addition to rainstorms, the biggest challenge is to blast the bridge without crushing it's $49 million dollar replacement that is just 25 feet away.
Explosives expert Dr. Braden Lusk is in Weirton, West Virginia, as four big structures need to come down in record time. The four hulking structures are at an old steel mill, and sit right next to a building that needs to survive. They’ve got just two short days to get the job done.
Explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey examine two massive industrial smokestack demolitions. In Toronto, Ohio, a blaster is up against a 650 foot concrete giant, one of the tallest he’s ever faced. In a Chicago suburb, the 150,000 brick stack has to be dropped straight down in the middle of a sprawling apartment complex.
Every explosive demolition has it's own challenges. Tight, crowded spaces and hard, powerful steel are just some of the problems blasters face. In Nigeria, the Bank of Industry building, half-destroyed several years ago by lightning, looms over the city of Lagos. It’s up to blasters Bob Daphne and Mike Perkin of the South African company Wreckers to bring it down safely. In Charlotte, North Carolina, blaster Jim Redyke has a different kind of headache. He’s blasting the Charlotte Coliseum, an irregularly-shaped sports stadium with a very special type of roof.