2012
First Published
3.27
Average Rating
124
Number of Pages
An in-depth look at the world's mightiest structures. Stunning foldout pages, panels, diagrams, photographs and "Mega Facts" boxes make this book a stimulating read for all ages. Megastructures describes how and why these structures were designed and built. It explains the physics behind the designs, which allows buildings, dams or bridges to rise to incredible heights, withstand enormous pressures, and resist collapse from environmental forces. The book is organized into four sections. Towering skyscrapers, towers, monuments, offshore platforms Gigantic wide and long, over and under Massive Monsters and Darkest stadiums, islands, dams Darkest mines, power stations, ice cores In each chapter, Megastructures also looks at Failures and Accidents, including such frightening events as windows falling out, roofs collapsing, floods and explosions. Future chapters in each section describe the monsters of tomorrow, like the pickle-shaped Gherkin tower, the Lake Vostok tunnel deep under Antarctic ice and the Bering Bridge linking the USA and Russia. A glossary of words highlighted in the text, a resources section and an index round out this riveting book.
Avg Rating
3.27
Number of Ratings
11
5 STARS
0%
4 STARS
36%
3 STARS
55%
2 STARS
9%
1 STARS
0%
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Author
Ian Graham
Author · 28 books
After working as an in-house journalist and editor in consumer electronics magazines, Ian Graham became a freelance writer. He has written more than 230 illustrated non-fiction books for children and teens, and contributed chapters to books including Dorling Kindersley’s Know it All and Big Ideas that Changed the World. He has a degree in applied physics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism.
