Have you heard the rumors about a building in London that can melt cars? It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but is there any truth to it? Let’s dive into the details and uncover the truth behind this urban legend.
What is the Building?
The building in question is known as 20 Fenchurch Street, or more commonly referred to as the Walkie Talkie building due to its unique shape. It’s a commercial skyscraper located in the financial district of London and stands at 160 meters tall.
How Can It Melt Cars?
The Walkie Talkie building gained notoriety in 2013 when it was reported that it was reflecting and magnifying sunlight onto the streets below, causing damage to vehicles parked nearby. The concave shape of the building acted as a giant curved mirror, concentrating the sun’s rays onto a small area on the street.
The Science Behind It
This phenomenon is known as the “solar convergence effect,” where sunlight reflects off a smooth surface and focuses onto a concentrated point. In this case, it was happening on the streets surrounding 20 Fenchurch Street. The extreme heat generated by this effect caused damage to vehicles parked nearby, including melted side mirrors, warped panels, and even ignited fires.
What Was Done About It?
Once reports of damaged vehicles started coming in, action was taken to rectify the issue. The developers of 20 Fenchurch Street installed shading devices on the exterior of the building to prevent further damage from occurring. These devices were designed to diffuse sunlight before it could reflect onto nearby streets.
The Aftermath
While there were some isolated incidents of vehicle damage after these measures were put in place, they were few and far between. The issue had been resolved for the most part, and the Walkie Talkie building was no longer a threat to parked vehicles.
The Verdict
So, is there a building in London that can melt cars? The short answer is yes, but it’s not like the building had some sort of superpower.
It was simply a case of an architectural oversight combined with the science of sunlight reflection. Once the problem was identified, action was taken to fix it, and now the Walkie Talkie building stands as a testament to the importance of considering all factors when designing skyscrapers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 20 Fenchurch Street may have caused chaos on the streets below, but it’s just another example of how science and architecture can intersect in unexpected ways. The Walkie Talkie building still stands tall in London’s skyline today, serving as a reminder of how even the most well-planned designs can have unintended consequences.
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