Author Topic: bridge collapsed (Read 1099 times)

rpm · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:15:24 PM »

Sadly, bridge collapses on federal highways is nothing new. There is one about every 3-5 years. They usually find design flaw and poor maintenence as the causes.

It was sheer luck that the death toll was not higher.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2007, 02:48:47 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm
Sadly, bridge collapses on federal highways is nothing new. There is one about every 3-5 years. They usually find design flaw and poor maintenence as the causes.

It was sheer luck that the death toll was not higher.

I'm guessing it will be 25-50 by the time its all done and said. An hour and a half earlier, and it could have been real ugly, (Rush hour, Twins game...)

MiloMorai · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:15:24 PM »

Montreal bridge collapse last year

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_Overpass_collapse
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/10/01/overpass-collapse.html

AWMac · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2007, 03:40:12 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by john9001
the brooklyn bridge is over 100 years old and still working, there were no computers around when it was built.

What a STUPID post.

Hey screw Brooklyn and their Bridge... The Bridge sux and so does Brooklyn.

Now back to the Thread as it was Originally posted assshat.

BTW yer in FloriDUH praising the Brooklyn Bridge? Stupid Kid.

My heart goes out to all that were injured/died in this tragety. May the Families find comfort and strength during these times.

Prayers,

Mac

tedrbr · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2007, 04:00:05 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm
Sadly, bridge collapses on federal highways is nothing new. There is one about every 3-5 years. They usually find design flaw and poor maintenance as the causes.

It was sheer luck that the death toll was not higher.

And instances like this will probably just get more common as repairs have been deferred so often the past couple decades. Funding has been lacking for the United States infrastructure for a very long time. Not just bridges and roadways, but dams, the electrical grid, water systems, waste treatment plants, levies.

Even the big hi-way spending bill passed last years seems to herald more "new construction" than much needed repairs to old infrastructure.

Crumbling infrastructure next to a crumbling education system that won't turn out the needed engineers to deal with the first problem. But, of course, lawyers we've got no shortage of.

Spikes · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2007, 06:26:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2

Also, the death count has been lowered from 7 to 4. That's good.
Personally I always overestimate deaths in these kinds of things. It would be great if the scuba divers found no one else... I doubt it though.

they say there is still 20-30 missing.

john9001 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:03:28 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by AWMac
What a STUPID post.

Hey screw Brooklyn and their Bridge... The Bridge sux and so does Brooklyn.

Now back to the Thread as it was Originally posted assshat.

BTW yer in FloriDUH praising the Brooklyn Bridge? Stupid Kid.

Mac

up yours mac, if they still built bridges like that one, the bridges would not be falling down and killing people all the time.

Rolex · « **Reply #22 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:14:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by lasersailor184
Sometimes I wish I wasn't studying this right now. It's scary to think what a few errors in structural calculations along with construction field concessions can add up to.

I would put over half a century of winter salt from the roadbed leaching through joints in a span higher on the list of possible causes than errors in structural calculations. But hey, what would I know? You're the student who knows everything.

Curval · « **Reply #23 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:45:09 PM »

I now see why lazs gets so worked up by global warming.

The National Safety Board is recommending a review of the nation's infrastructure and estimate the costs of fixing everything up in the trillions.

The day before everything was fine.

THE COUNTRY IS COLLASPING>>>EVERYONE RUUUUUUN!

Spikes · « **Reply #24 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:48:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rolex
I would put over half a century of winter salt from the roadbed leaching through joints in a span higher on the list of possible causes than errors in structural calculations.

E = MC2

tis all I know...

clerick · « **Reply #25 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:08:01 PM »

There are obviously a lot that no one know and it looks to be a few months before we do. To jump to any conclusions is foolish.

There was an inspection of this bridge just a few years back and it was found to be "structurally deficient." Taken literally it sounds horrible, but in reality it means that this bridge was found to be healthy, but in need or renovation within the next few years, anc MnDOT had this bridge slated for renovation either next year or the following at latest.

Having read the report online, it is clear that there were no signs at that time to indicate that a structural failure of this magnitude could occur. The life expectancy of this bridge was 70 years, which means that it was projected to last another 30. On a scale of 120, this bridge scored 50, but i've heard a few engineers say that that is a scewed number since only a brand new bridge built to modern standards could hope to achieve that, and that this bridge when brand new still may have been "structurally deficient" on the modern scale. And even though Minnesota uses a lot of chloride deicers in winter, we rank 3rd in the country for bridge safety and repair, and given this bridges location and importance it was look after very closely.

[rant]

The most appalling thing, aside from the tragedy itself, is how local politicians are using this as a political weapon. The rescue crews were still pulling live people from the water when the first senator got on TV and did the "see i told you so" dance. He didn't offer any condolences or even a word of regret, just a scathing accusation at the other party for not raising gas taxes here.

[/end rant]

Maverick · « **Reply #26 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:15:58 PM »

The folks on the ground haven't even had a chance to look at the situation yet and as usual the AH armchair experts have already determined the cause.

Leave it to the professionals. Innocent people died in this situation. The cause will be determined and hopefully it will result in doing something to similar bridges to prevent it happening again.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:16:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rolex
I would put over half a century of winter salt from the roadbed leaching through joints in a span higher on the list of possible causes than errors in structural calculations. But hey, what would I know? You're the student who knows everything.

I already said that.

Quote

It appears that something gave out on the near side of the breitbart video. Very hard to tell without looking, but it looks like a complete shearing of the connections at a column.

If so, that's very poor engineering. Or possibly very poor weather protection.

But I can't tell without further look.

You were in such a rush to make me look like an ass, that you ended up looking like one yourself.

clerick · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:22:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
The folks on the ground haven't even had a chance to look at the situation yet and as usual the AH armchair experts have already determined the cause.

amen!

Black Sheep · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:14:58 PM »

Crazy. I was just there a day before it happened and went over that part of the bridge twice. Once in a 45 ft. Prevost, and another time on my bike.