The Detonators
Follow explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey as they get a backstage pass to the world's biggest and toughest demolition blasts.
- 2009-2009
- 1 season
- Discovery Channel
- Documentary
Follow explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey as they get a backstage pass to the world's biggest and toughest demolition blasts.
Season 1 Episode Guide
12 Episodes 2009
Episode 1
Liverpool
Wed, Jan 28, 2009 44 mins
Demolition teams must ensure that top-heavy structures fall as intended.
Episode 2
Glasgow
Wed, Feb 4, 2009 44 mins
Three buildings in two cities require precision demolition. Twin tall towers in Birmingham need to be dropped simultaneously but they are surround by other building that are as close as 28 feet. A tower in Glasgow is also surrounded. It was built of concrete slabs that can behave unpredictably as the building collapses.
Episode 3
Bermuda
Wed, Feb 11, 2009 44 mins
Demolition teams turn to explosives after traditional methods prove too dangerous. A large hotel was built with post stressed concrete. But it's built on a hillside so special precautions are required to prevent a landslide. A smokestack was constructed with reinforced concrete and lined with bricks.
Episode 4
Coral Gables
Wed, Feb 18, 2009 44 mins
Ponce de Leon Towers was a steel structure with a reinforced concrete core. That posed a challenge for the demolition team since since different techniques are normally employed for these two different types of structures. The attempt attracts national attention when a second try is needed.
Episode 5
Foxburg, PA
Wed, Feb 25, 2009 44 mins
Pennsylvania's youngest licensed blaster has to bring down an extremely strong steel freight train bridge. The bridge's replacement has already been built just 4 feet away and he also has to contend with Pennsylvania noise regulations. Demolition of two massive 20 story apartment buildings in Glasgow requires special preparation to avoid damage to assets as close 25 feet away and to avoid the tragedy that occurred when a similar building was demolished in the city. Exploding watermelons demonstrate the innovative timing requiring the use of the "Hot Shot" demolition computer
Episode 6
Louisville, Ky.
Wed, Mar 4, 2009 44 mins
Two central city demolitions pose unique challenges. In Louisville the challenge is post-stressed concrete floors and a hidden surprise. In Birmingham a building with especially strong columns is close to a major natural gas line. Advantages of shock tube versus electrical detonation are demonstrated on party pinatas.
Episode 7
Fort William, Scotland
Wed, Mar 11, 2009 44 mins
Explosives experts Dr. Braden Lusk and Dr. Paul Worsey examine two steel paper mills that are about to get blasted, but with two totally different methods.
Episode 8
Newcastle
Wed, Mar 18, 2009 44 mins
The Newcastle Bottling Plant is just a five story low rise but it was built to industrial standards with over 600 columns. Their demolition will require over 250 kilos of explosive. In Midland, Texas columns are the challenge again. In this case they are extra strong spiral wrapped columns.
Episode 9
Bismarck
Thu, Apr 16, 2009 43 mins
Demolition teams drop a half mile long bridge and a stadium roof. Paul and Braden demonstrate the physics of air blast.
Episode 10
Toronto, OH
Thu, Apr 23, 2009 44 mins
Two smokestacks, one brick and one 600 feet of concrete, don't fall according to plan.
Episode 11
Weirton, North Dakota
44 mins
Dycon clears a cluttered industrial site of four structures; a coal tipper, smokestack, water tower and cluster of silos. Each has an unusual or unexpected structural element. Braden and Paul demonstrate how to modify a shaped charge to cut the round legs on the water tower. Braden lends a hand to help the team meet their deadline.
Episode 12
Charlotte, North Carolina
44 mins
It's too dangerous to pre-weaken a partially collapsed building in Nigeria that presents an ongoing hazard to the local residents. Instead, extra explosives are used which, hopefully, will not damage nearby buildings in city center. In Charlotte, Dykon tackles a huge stadium with a unique roof support structure.
