SRE’s worst nightmare
summary
Tells how 601 Lexington (Citicorp Center) uses mid‑side columns and bolted chevrons, a missed quartering‑wind calculation creates a 1‑in‑6 annual collapse risk, and engineers discover welded joints are needed before a hurricane three months away. Emergency plan assembles 2,500 night‑shift welders, secret night repairs, and a 10‑block evacuation contingency for ~200,000 potential casualties. Repairs finish in time, the building survives, and the covert operation stays secret until a 1995 exposé.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00Introduction and Greetings
- 0:29Welcome to SRE Day
- 2:16About SRE Day Events
- 3:50Speaker Introduction
- 5:26The Citicorp Center Story Begins
- 9:31Engineering Challenges and Solutions
- 16:38The Secret Repair Operation
- 20:51Lessons Learned
- 21:41Closing Remarks and Next Steps
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