Baltimore bridge collapse: a bridge engineer explains what happened, and what needs to change

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:13:11 +1000

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/baltimore-bridge-collapse-a-bridge-engineer-explains-what-happened-and-what-needs-to-change-226716>

"When the container ship MV Dali, 300 metres long and massing around 100,000
tonnes, lost power and slammed into one of the support piers of the Francis
Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the bridge collapsed in moments. Six people are
presumed dead, several others injured, and the city and region are expecting a
months-long logistical nightmare in the absence of a crucial transport link.

It was a shocking event, not only for the public but for bridge engineers like
me. We work very hard to ensure bridges are safe, and overall the probability
of being injured or worse in a bridge collapse remains even lower than the
chance of being struck by lightning.

However, the images from Baltimore are a reminder that safety can’t be taken
for granted. We need to remain vigilant.

So why did this bridge collapse? And, just as importantly, how might we make
other bridges more safe against such collapse?"

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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