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
