How Do Cranes Get Up There? An Astrophysicist & Construction Worker Walk Into a Bar

Summary

Smart Girl Dumb Questions: How Do Cranes Get Up There? An Astrophysicist & Construction Worker Walk Into a Bar

Host: Nayeema Raza
Episode Release Date: April 25, 2025
Guest: Brandon Hernandez, Construction Worker
Featured Figure: Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, host Nayeema Raza explores the intriguing intersection between astrophysics and construction engineering. Inspired by a conversation with renowned astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Nayeema delves into the seemingly simple yet complex question: "How do cranes get up to the top of skyscrapers?"

Nayeema's Conversation with Neil DeGrasse Tyson

The episode begins with Nayeema Raza recounting her extensive discussion with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, where they traversed grand topics from the Big Bang to the possibility of living in a simulation. However, amidst these cosmic conversations, Nayeema poses a humble question to Tyson that even the brightest minds might find perplexing:

[00:41] Neil DeGrasse Tyson: "Oh, anytime I'm in the company of someone who knows anything that I don't know, that's all I want to talk about. Let's say it's a construction worker. How did they get the crane to the top of the building?"

This moment sets the stage for a deep dive into the practical mechanics behind towering cranes, bridging the gap between astrophysics and everyday engineering marvels.

The Dumb Question: How Do Cranes Get Up There?

Intrigued by Tyson's admission of not knowing the answer, Nayeema reaches out to her local construction community in New York City to uncover the secrets of crane assembly on skyscrapers. "How do they get those cranes up there?" she muses, reflecting the curiosity that drives the episode.

Interview with Brandon Hernandez: The Construction Worker’s Insight

Enter Brandon Hernandez, a seasoned construction worker with hands-on experience in assembling cranes. Nayeema's interview with Brandon provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of the intricate process involved in erecting these massive structures.

The Crane Assembly Process Explained

Brandon breaks down the process, highlighting the transition from mobile cranes to tower cranes as the building ascends:

[02:43] Brandon Hernandez: "It's a very, very intense process where you have to first get a mobile... So they deliver these sections from the crane. We do various rigging techniques to offload them off the trailer. We set them all up and then it's like they get assembled one by one by hand."

He further elaborates on the self-building nature of tower cranes:

[05:17] Brandon Hernandez: "That builds itself out, builds itself all the way up. So basically like releases like a ladder more and more of itself."

Brandon emphasizes the role of counterweights in maintaining balance:

[05:40] Brandon Hernandez: "The counterbalance is needed because when the guys are securing the new section into the crane, it has to be able to withstand that weight of that opposite on the opposite end."

Challenges and Safety Measures

The conversation delves into the inherent dangers and technical challenges of crane assembly. Brandon explains the necessity of precise balance and the constant swaying of the crane to maintain stability:

[03:58] Brandon Hernandez: "The crane is always swaying from 1 to 3 inches. It has to sway because that's how it keeps this balance. It's like a counterbalance."

They also discuss the strategic scheduling of crane assembly, often conducted during late hours to minimize interference and ensure safety:

[06:13] Brandon Hernandez: "Usually the superintendent would get a permit to work late hours. That way you have no workers on site. Because this is a very, very dangerous operation where nobody can be in the area when this is going on."

Reflections and Conclusions

Nayeema reflects on the profound complexity and risk involved in building skyscrapers, marveling at the technical prowess required:

Naima: "Such difficult work, such dangerous, difficult work. I mean, objects of this size being lifted to such heights and being manufactured by themselves in the air is just super dangerous."

She also draws a poignant parallel between the physics involved in crane assembly and the cosmic phenomena Neil DeGrasse Tyson typically discusses, highlighting the universal applicability of physical principles.

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Nayeema encourages listeners to delve deeper by tuning into the longer conversation with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, where the astrophysicist explores even more expansive topics like wormholes and space-time travel. She underscores the importance of curiosity, no matter one's expertise, and invites listeners to submit their own "dumb questions" for future episodes.

Naima: "No matter who you are, you have things to be infinitely curious about, even if you're Neil DeGrasse Tyson."

The episode serves as a testament to the value of interdisciplinary curiosity, demonstrating how asking simple questions can lead to profound insights across diverse fields.

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Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps:

• Neil DeGrasse Tyson [00:41]: "Oh, anytime I'm in the company of someone who knows anything that I don't know, that's all I want to talk about. Let's say it's a construction worker. How did they get the crane to the top of the building?"

• Brandon Hernandez [02:43]: "It's a very, very intense process where you have to first get a mobile... So they deliver these sections from the crane."

• Brandon Hernandez [05:17]: "That builds itself out, builds itself all the way up. So basically like releases like a ladder more and more of itself."

• Brandon Hernandez [05:40]: "The counterbalance is needed because when the guys are securing the new section into the crane, it has to be able to withstand that weight of that opposite on the opposite end."

• Naima [07:12]: "Such difficult work, such dangerous, difficult work. I mean, objects of this size being lifted to such heights and being manufactured by themselves in the air is just super dangerous."

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This episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions masterfully intertwines the worlds of astrophysics and construction, illustrating that no question is too small when it leads to greater understanding. Whether you're fascinated by the cosmos or the towering buildings that define our cities, Nayeema Raza invites you to join her curiosity party and explore the wonders of our modern world.

Transcript

[Naima]

Welcome to another installment of CSI Dumb Questions, where the dumbest thing you can be is a know it all. In these shorter episodes, I stand at a board that's fitting of a procedural primetime drama and answer the questions that my very smart guests did not know the answer to. This week's is from Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

[Brandon]

Smart girl, Dumb Questions.

[Naima]

Neil, of course, is an astrophysicist, the director of the Hayden Planetarium. And we had an hour plus long conversation about the universe. From the big bang to are we living in a simulation? To how does time and space work anyways? And after all of that, I asked Neil DeGrasse Tyson. What is Neil DeGrasse Tyson dumb about, if anything?

[Neil DeGrasse Tyson]

Oh, anytime I'm in the company of someone who knows anything that I don't know, that's all I want to talk about. Let's say it's a construction worker.

[Greg]

Okay.

[Neil DeGrasse Tyson]

How did they get the crane to the top of the building?

[Brandon]

How did they get the crane?

[Neil DeGrasse Tyson]

At the time, I didn't see them put it up there. It's 50 stories up, just down there.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Yeah.

[Naima]

How do they get those cranes up there? I actually have never seen them getting those cranes up there. I wonder if it's something they do in the middle of the night when no one's watching. But I love that. This astrophysicist had a question for a construction worker. And thankfully I live in New York City, so I can just go outside and find the answer. I came prepared, obviously, with this pink hard hat.

[Greg]

This building had the biggest windows.

[Brandon]

Windows and all of Manhattan.

[Greg]

And to hold my hand. Look around, look around. One window is like maybe six, seven, eight windows. One of these windows.

[Brandon]

One of these windows is seven of those windows.

[Greg]

Look. That's how small it is. They need. They need a crane to pick these windows.

[Naima]

A crane. That's exactly what we need. So Greg introduced me to another person on site.

[Brandon]

Do you know the physicist Neil Degrasse Tyson?

[Brandon Hernandez]

Never heard of the first.

[Brandon]

He's the astrophysicist who runs the Hayden Planetarium. Really smart guy, always on tv. And he asked, how do you get a construction crane up at the top of the building?

[Brandon Hernandez]

How do you get one up the building?

[Naima]

Yeah.

[Brandon]

Do you know the answer of how they build those cranes to the top of the building?

[Brandon Hernandez]

That is a very good question. What kind of. You said you're looking for a stupid answer.

[Brandon]

No, I'm looking for a real answer.

[Brandon Hernandez]

An actual answer. Okay.

[Brandon]

Can we interview you? Do you know the answer of how they build that?

[Brandon Hernandez]

I actually used to work for A company that used to assemble them on.

[Brandon]

Okay, Can I give you a better microphone so I can interview you?

[Greg]

Is that okay?

[Brandon Hernandez]

That's fine.

[Brandon]

The crane's not going to fall on us right now.

[Brandon Hernandez]

I'll make sure.

[Brandon]

Okay, thank you. So tell me your name again.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Brandon.

[Brandon]

Brandon. I'm Naima.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Nice to meet you.

[Brandon]

Nice to meet you. So, Neil Degrasse Tyson. He's a super smart guy and he did not know. How do you get the construction crane to the top of the building?

[Brandon Hernandez]

Yeah, it's a very, very intense process where you have to first get a mobile. What's called the mobile crane, which is those huge trucks with a crane on it already.

[Brandon]

Okay.

[Brandon Hernandez]

So they deliver these sections from the crane.

[Brandon]

So each of like those blocks.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Yeah, they come in singles.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Brandon Hernandez]

So we do various rigging techniques to offload them off the trailer. We set them all up and then it's like they get assembled one by one by hand. Not by hand. So once the crane lifts one up, stands one in the air, once it's planted, then the next one goes on top. Then we secure it with bolts and everything like that. And then once it reaches a certain height, they attach was what is called tie ins? Yeah, they attach the tie ins to keep it secure onto the building, you know, just in case. But you little do you know, the crane is always swaying from 1 to 3 inches. It has to sway because that's how it keeps this balance. It's like a counterbalance. As the building reaches a certain height, the crane has to go up as well. If it's almost reaching what's called the boom.

[Brandon]

The boom is like the elbow of the crane. Yes.

[Brandon Hernandez]

It means that the crane will no longer be able to swing. So therefore it's the same process as when they built it in the beginning. They bring the tower sections and then the only difference now is that you don't have. There is no mobile crane in play. Now it's the tower crane just offloading the sections.

[Brandon]

Is that more dangerous when there's no mobile crane and it's just the tower crane?

[Brandon Hernandez]

Well, the higher it is. Yes. So what happens is that the section is lifted into the air. There are guys waiting inside the crane. They hook it onto this pulley machine. It comes into the crane.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Therefore the crane then goes down and picks up a counter block which weighs roughly up to £10,000. They lift that into the air and then as the new section is secured onto the tower, the crane starts to come up slowly with a machine system.

[Brandon]

So it goes higher and higher. Because of that counterweight that comes after.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Each and every section, mobile cranes come.

[Brandon]

In, they go through and they start building, block by block the crane up. At a certain height, the crane is so high that it can't be done with a mobile crane anymore.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Exactly.

[Brandon]

And then that.

[Brandon Hernandez]

That builds itself out, builds itself all the way up.

[Brandon]

It's a self building way to get yourself up and up and up. So basically like releases like a ladder more and more of itself. Yes, yes, all the way. And one thing, when the tower crane part is happening, it's going up and up and up. You need that counterbalance to keep it sturdy. Right. Explain that, like how that counterbalance comes in.

[Brandon Hernandez]

So the counterbalance is needed because when the guys are securing the new section into the crane, it has to be able to withstand that weight of that opposite on the opposite end. It's kind of hard to.

[Brandon]

Yeah, it's like physics. It's physics. Neil Degrasse Tyson would know the answer to this.

[Brandon Hernandez]

I mentioned him. I actually do know who that is. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brandon]

He's gonna be excited about you.

[Brandon Hernandez]

He's so intelligent. But he didn't know about this. Yeah, it's a very intense process.

[Brandon]

And what time of day are you guys building these cranes? Like, is it happening at night? Is it like. Because we never see them, they usually.

[Brandon Hernandez]

Try to wait for, let's say the work day to be over. That way no one gets interrupted or anything from doing their work. And usually what the superintendent would do is get a permit to work late hours.

[Brandon]

Yeah.

[Brandon Hernandez]

That way you have no workers on site. Because this is a very, very dangerous operation where nobody can be in the area when this is going on.

[Brandon]

Yeah, there are people walking around Manhattan at all times of all days. Are they in danger or.

[Brandon Hernandez]

I mean, they're fine. Because what they'll usually do is obviously block off one side of the block or block off traffic and everything their way. That way no one's in the area. Yeah, that's pretty much it.

[Brandon]

All right, thank you so much, Brandon. You taught me so much. I appreciate it. Thank you very much. It was very generous of Brandon Hernandez.

[Naima]

To be spending so much time with me at the end of his workday at a construction site that his colleague Greg told me was quote, unquote, having beef with the Empire State Building. But two reflections from that conversation with Brandon. One is that this is just such difficult work, Such dangerous, difficult work. I mean, objects of this size being lifted to such heights and being manufactured by themselves in the air is just super dangerous. And I Don't even think about that. Walking around New York City with so much construction happening all the time, let alone the people doing those jobs.

[Brandon]

Right.

[Naima]

And it's also extremely technical work. I mean, it's almost ironic that an astrophysicist asked this question because Brandon's answer back was all physics. His points about a counterweight needed to balance that load so that it could get higher and higher into the air. The idea of, you know, this crane constantly swaying between 1 to 3 inches as it balances the reality of the wind and the elements around it, you know, this is a massive exercise in kind of maintaining a center of gravity at higher and higher and higher heights. And all of that kind of blew my mind and will make me walk around New York really differently. That's it for this episode of csi. Dumb questions, please go. Check out the longer episode with Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who is so smart about so many things, including the potential for wormholes, for space time travel, which just blew my mind. You have to go listen. But I guess no matter who you are, you have things to be infinitely curious about, even if you're Neil DeGrasse Tyson, by the way, I'm curious about what you want to know. Send me your dumb questions. You can leave them in your reviews or comments or. Or send me an email. Naimaraza101mail.com Special thanks to my partner in crime, Holly Thiel, who edited and shot this video, as well as Dana Bellout, who provided editorial support. And of course, to Brandon Hernandez, who made the time to explain how those cranes get up there. By the way, I was at a dinner the other night and someone asked me, how did they get the cranes down? So I don't know. I'm gonna have to go figure that out now. Thanks for listening. I'll see you next week for an all new Smart Girl Dumb Questions.