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Book 25, Question 1 · Video

What happens on a building site before the first floor goes up?

Video · 1:52 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 25

Before building a skyscraper, engineers drill test holes to learn what the soil and rock are like. Then crews dig a giant hole and haul away the dirt. Next, they build the foundation. Many towers stand on huge concrete columns called piles that reach deep into the ground, so the weight of the tower is held safely. Only after this hidden work can the building start to rise.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What happens on a building site before the first floor goes up?

The Big Idea

Before a skyscraper rises, lots of work happens underground. Builders must know what the ground is like. Then they build a strong foundation!

Test Holes

Step one: Test Holes. Before building a skyscraper, engineers drill test holes. They learn what the soil and rock are like.

Dig

Step two: Dig. Then crews dig a giant hole. Trucks haul away the dirt.

Foundation

Step three: Foundation. Next, they build the foundation. Many towers stand on huge concrete columns called piles that reach deep into the ground, so the weight is held safely.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Test holes check the ground. A big hole is dug. Piles reach down deep. The tower rises on top.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Burj Khalifa stands on 192 piles. Solid bedrock makes a very strong base. Big digs can fill thousands of trucks with dirt. This hidden work can take many months.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Build a tower of blocks on a soft pillow. Then build the same tower on a hard table. Which one stays up better? Why does the base matter? Share your idea with a grown-up.

Outro

Before the first floor goes up, engineers drill test holes, crews dig a giant hole, and builders make a strong foundation, often with deep concrete piles. Only then can a tower rise. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

Why I wrote this