Many different types of engineers work in designing bridges to suit all of our different needs. From mechanical to civil and even materials engineers, many professionals work in creating better and safer bridges. Read the following articles to learn more about bridges and engineering.
- Forces in Bridges
- Types of Bridges
- Famous Bridges of the World
- Bridge Disasters
- Types of Engineering
Bridge Disasters
Engineers must be concerned about safety at all times. Lives are at stake when bridges collapse so engineers must design bridges to withstand all kinds of weather conditions, ground types and loads. While the goal is to have no design fail, engineers examine and learn from past mistakes to avoid such failures in the future.
- Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse, Kansas City, Missouri (failed in 1981)
- Point Pleasant/Silver Bridge, Ohio River (failed 1967)
- Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Tacoma, Washington (failed in 1940)
- Falls View Bridge, Niagara Falls (failed 1938)
- Quebec Bridge, St. Lawrence River (failed 1907,1916)
- Tay Bridge, Scotland (failed in 1879)
Tay Bridge Disaster
Built in 1878 by Thomas Bouch, the Tay Bridge was considered a great engineering accomplishment. At that time, bridge design was based solely on experience since there were no codes for engineers to follow. The Tay Bridge was close two miles in length.1
On December 28, 1879, a storm with winds up to 70 mph hit the area. At 7:15 p.m. that night, Tay Bridge collapsed taking with it a 6 carriage train and killing 75 people.2
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Tay Bridge Disaster3 |
An investigation was performed to determine the reason for the bridge failure. It was found that Bouch did not design the bridge to withstand the wind conditions of the area. Moreover, the iron used was of poor quality and it was already cracking due to the cold weather.4
For more information about the Tay Bridge disaster, please visit:
http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/poems/pgdisaster.htm http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/on-line/heavy-weather/page3.asp