Top 17 Most Insanely Stupid Engineering Fails

With all of the various engineers and engineering professions across the globe, there are endless hilarious examples of engineering fails. Sometimes it's the engineer's fault and others it is the builder being unable to read the plans. Regardless, here are 17 of the most insanely stupid engineering fails we could find from across the web.

The "late to class" door

high door[Image Source: Imgur]

That's probably the door you have to come in if you don't make it to class in time. You would be surprised at how many buildings have doors leading to nowhere.

Extra balcony

balcony fail[Image Source: Imgur]

While this extra balcony was likely put there so that the building looked uniform from a distance, the architect or engineer could have done a better job making it look functional.

Too many manholes

manhole heaven[Image Source: Imgur]

Manholes are used at bends of sanitary sewer pipes, and this is probably the most closely spaced collection of them ever. The engineer in me is wondering what the pipes underground look like if the road is this crazy.

A close fit

cZ4YRDN[Image Source: Imgur]

We can't think of a practical use of having urinals this close together. Nope.

The best seats around

baseball wall[Image Source: Imgur]

While engineers know how to design structures, they often forget that their products actually have to be usable, not just do the job.

Long Reach

long toilet stall[Image Source: Imgur]

Handicapped stalls are the limos of bathroom stalls, but sometimes you can end up in a little bit of a predicament when you need to wipe.

"Where do we exit?"

failed escalator[Image Source: Imgur]

The tolerances in the design specs must have been set to a couple meters rather than a few centimeters.

The reverse phone booth

phone booth[Image Source: Imgur]

Whoever built this obviously has no idea what the purpose of a phone booth is.

Stairs for giants

giant stairs[Image Source: Imgur]

This is what happens when you accidentally press the scale command in Auto CAD and don't fix your mistakes. Steps for giants.

Out of place window

special window[Image Source: Imgur]

While there is nothing wrong with having a window there, I really want to know what makes that room so special...

The electrical water outlet

water outlet[Image Source: Imgur]

I like to call this the 'electrified death socket.' It's what happens when a plumber and an electrician have a baby who then goes on to start his own business. I have so many questions about how this even happened.


Unsafe Install

ladder A:C[Image Source: Imgur]

This picture is more of what happens before the fail. It's also proof of why women live longer than men.

Stairway to wall

stairway wall[Image Source: Imgur]

Ah, a stairway to nowhere. It's a lot like the stairway to heaven except much more depressing.

The quick way down for wheelchairs

terrible wheelchair idea[Image Source: Imgur]

This is what happens when the regulating authorities say you need disability access and you don't want to spend a lot of money.

Half toilet

toilet wall[Image Source: Imgur]

In case you only "kind of" needed to go.

Train collision

train disaster[Image Source: Imgur]

My assumption here is that the railroad is just being built due to the exposed ties and that the building and pole have yet to be moved. However, I hope they don't send a train down this track too soon.


Misplaced structural support

support placement[Image Source: Imgur]

This engineer was too focused on making sure that the structure would stand up and they forgot that people have to be able to walk through the building.

SEE ALSO: Top 20 of the Best Engineering “Fixes”