Practical Engineering

Whatever Happened to Fire Escapes?

2026-10-20T13:00:19+00:00

External fire escapes are becoming a thing of the past
📰 Go to https://ground.news/practicalengineering to get 40% off unlimited access to the news tool I use. It helps you cut through the noise and understand how stories are being reported across the spectrum.

Writing building regulations is a messy process, and there really is rarely a single “right” answer. There are just tradeoffs that affect every building differently and ripple through space, time, and the economy.

📖My new book, Disasters By Design: How Engineering Failures Shaped the Modern World is coming March 2, 2027 and available for preorder now.
US: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786143/disasters-by-design-by-grady-hillhouse/
UK: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476190/disasters-by-design-by-hillhouse-grady/9780241798508
More About the Book: https://practical.engineering/books

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Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!

CONNECT WITH ME
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DISCLAIMER
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This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

SPECIAL THANKS
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This video is sponsored by Ground News.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Edge of a Knife composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound
Heart Beam from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Hidden Engineering of Pressure Regulators

2026-10-06T13:00:17+00:00

Pressure regulators are Victorian-era mechanical computers, and I cut one in half so we can see how it works ⚙️ Check out SendCutSend for custom parts fabricated from your CAD: http://sendcutsend.com/practicalengineering I just love that…

Every US Electrical Outlet Explained

2026-09-15T13:00:35+00:00

Can you collect them all?
Want to restore the planet's ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code PRACTICAL29 will get the first month paid for by me: https://planetwild.com/r/practicalengineering/join/29
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Just like the periodic table of the elements, the NEMA connection standards are a bit messy. And that’s what I love about them.

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Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
This video is sponsored by Planet Wild.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
Midnight in Paris composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

Stopping the Unstoppable

2026-09-01T13:00:00+00:00

Buffer stops and bumping posts are hidden in plain sight
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As long as we rely on rail, the "simple" physics of stopping will always be a complex balancing act.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-stopping-the-unstoppable

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
This video is sponsored by SendCutSend.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Edge of a Knife composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

Are Beavers Actually Good at Dams?

2026-08-18T13:00:21+00:00

Want to restore the planet’s ecosystems and see your impact in monthly videos? The first 100 people to join Planet Wild with my code PRACTICAL8 will get the first month paid for by me: https://planetwild.com/r/practicalengineering/join/8
If you want to get to know them better first, check out their wildlife crossings mission: https://planetwild.com/r/practicalengineering/m36/8

Do the beavers have a better dam system?

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-are-beavers-actually-good-at-dams

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Recycled Mood from Epidemic Sound
Tapped Out from Epidemic Sound
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Edge of a Knife composed by Caleb Winters
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Grid That Doubles the Strength of the Ground

2026-08-04T13:00:39+00:00

I love geocells
⚙️ Check out SendCutSend for custom parts fabricated from your CAD: http://sendcutsend.com/practicalengineering

Sometimes it’s not all about more massive concrete slabs or the brute strength of steel, but just a little bit of clever geometry and some dirt.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-grid-that-doubles-the-strength-of-the-ground

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Keyless Entry from Epidemic Sound
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

What's Under Your Feet in New York City?

2026-07-21T13:02:12+00:00

A tour of the subsurface in NYC
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Errata: At 8:00, winding are showing a step-up transformer and should be swapped.

The underground of New York is almost a city within a city. We kind of get used to having all these utilities and services that it’s easy to forget the physical space they all take up and the work that goes into installing and maintaining them.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-whats-under-your-feet-in-new-york-city

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Himalayan Spell from Epidemic Sound
Keyless Entry from Epidemic Sound
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tapped Out from Epidemic Sound
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Mind-Blowing Flaw That Flooded New Orleans

2026-07-07T13:00:05+00:00

Based on a chapter from Disasters By Design: How Engineering Failures Shaped the Modern World by Grady Hillhouse, coming March 2, 2027, and available for preorder now.
US: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/786143/disasters-by-design-by-grady-hillhouse/
UK: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476190/disasters-by-design-by-hillhouse-grady/9780241798508
More About the Book: https://practical.engineering/books

What happened in New Orleans in August 2005 wasn’t a natural disaster. A number of engineering errors made the hurricane far more deadly than it would have been otherwise. And I built a model to show you why.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-why-the-levees-failed-in-new-orleans

Signed copies of my first book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound
Rhubarb from Epidemic Sound
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Magnified XY from Epidemic Sound
All Parts Equal from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

Bridge Demolition is Complicated

2026-06-16T11:37:54+00:00

The complex engineering involved in demolishing the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge.
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No shade at all to the new bridges, but honestly I think taking the old ones down was the coolest part of the entire replacement project.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-how-to-demolish-a-bridge

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
Thanks to IOWA DOT, Helm Civil, and Genesis Structures for sharing information about the project.
This video is sponsored by Nebula.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Keyless Entry from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

Why Roads Get Washboards

2026-06-02T13:00:23+00:00

The bizarre science of washboards on unpaved roads
⚙️ Check out SendCutSend for custom parts fabricated from your CAD: http://sendcutsend.com/practicalengineering

The more we understand the physics of washboarding, the better we can engineer roads that stay safe, smooth, and reliable.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-why-roads-get-washboards

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

Fixing the Most Dangerous Dam in the World

2026-05-19T13:00:31+00:00

The wild story of Mosul Dam in northern Iraq
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For the past 40 years or so, the problem at Mosul Dam has been ongoing, scrutinized by some of the most preeminent engineers across the world and complicated by politics, bureaucracy, and armed conflict.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-fixing-the-most-dangerous-dam-in-the-world

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

SPECIAL THANKS
____________________________________
This video is sponsored by Nebula.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Shutterstock, Pond5, and Videoblocks.
Video by Grady Hillhouse
Edited by Wesley Crump
Produced by Ralph Crewe
Graphics by Nebula Studios

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Pattern View from Epidemic Sound
Magnified XY from Epidemic Sound
Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
All Parts Equal from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Physics Behind the Thumb Trick

2026-05-05T13:01:16+00:00

_Closed Conduit Hydraulics_ is a place where intuitions don’t always serve you well
⚙️ Check out SendCutSend for custom parts fabricated from your CAD: http://sendcutsend.com/practicalengineering

The garden hose is a backyard version of the same problem engineers and operators deal with every day: how much flow can you get through a real system, and what does it cost you in pressure?

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-physics-behind-the-thumb-trick

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Tapped Out from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Wild Story of the Teton Dam Failure

2026-04-21T13:00:28+00:00

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam Failure
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Teton was one of the most dramatic and catalyzing dam failures of the 20th century in the US.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-wild-story-of-the-teton-dam-failure

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Building Blocks from Epidemic Sound
Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound
Addicted To Me from Epidemic Sound
Magnified XY from Epidemic Sound
The Road Less Travelled from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

This Spillway Failed On Purpose

2026-04-07T13:01:01+00:00

An overview of fuse plug and fusible gate spillways
⚙️ Check out SendCutSend for custom parts fabricated from your CAD: http://sendcutsend.com/practicalengineering

Most of the largest dams in the world have gated spillways with whole teams of staff dedicated to their operation. But it’s still a challenge, especially for small owners like cities. So there is another option, kind of in between controlled and uncontrolled spillways, and its use is growing worldwide.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-spillways-that-fail-on-purpose

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Addicted To Me from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tapped Out from Epidemic Sound
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Building Blocks from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

The Los Angeles Aqueduct is Wild

2026-03-17T13:00:44+00:00

A little tour of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system
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The story of the LA aqueduct in a nutshell: The project seemed obvious from an engineering perspective. But it many ways, it was not only unscrupulous, but also short-sighted.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-los-angeles-aqueduct-is-wild

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
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Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Recycled Mood from Epidemic Sound
Cave Thoughts composed by Donovan Bullen (Nebula Studios)
Magnified XY from Epidemic Sound
Building Blocks from Epidemic Sound
All Parts Equal from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

How Earthquake Bearings Work

2026-03-03T14:01:26+00:00

An overview of seismic base isolation for buildings

Earthquakes are such a challenge in engineering: unpredictable both in time and intensity. But I love this solution of base isolation because it’s so intuitive. It’s something my five-year-old would come up with: just put a suspension system on a building.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-earthquakeproof-foundations

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Aural Imprints from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

So You Want to Build a Tunnel...

2026-02-17T14:00:50+00:00

Some of us just yearn for the mines.
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🚆Watch A Bit Obscure: https://nebula.tv/abitfrank/a-bit-obscure?ref=practical-engineering

Mentions in the intro:
@colinfurze
@GhostTownLiving
@saveitforparts
@JerryRigEverything

A little exploration into modern tunnel construction methods used in public infrastructure and how those lessons can be applied to endeavors of the more homemade variety.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-so-you-want-to-build-a-tunnel

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
The Early Bird from Epidemic Sound
Rhubarb from Epidemic Sound
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U

Do Retention Ponds Actually Work?

2026-02-03T14:01:36+00:00

An overview of the engineering behind stormwater ponds

Errata: 5 acres is about 2 hectares. Sorry for the conversion error!

Part park, part plumbing, mostly hiding in plain sight, they are often carefully tuned pieces of infrastructure that help keep the city’s head above water.

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/practical-engineering-the-hidden-engineering-of-stormwater-ponds

Signed copies of my book (plus other cool stuff) are available here: https://store.practical.engineering/

SPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES
____________________________________
Please email my agent at practicalengineering@standard.tv

MUSIC CREDITS
____________________________________
Cactus Song from Epidemic Sound
Practical Engineering Theme composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Woodland Expedition composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Water and Light composed by Caleb Winters (https://beacons.ai/calebwinters)
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fBPdu8w9U