Bridge Collapses- More Common Than You Think
Recent collapses include:
The "earthquake proof" Cypress Freeway Collapse of October 17, 1989 in which 67 people were injured, declared missing, or killed when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the area.
The Queen Isabella Causeway Disaster -September 15, 2001. Eight people lost their lives due to a multiple barge crash which collapsed the bridge support columns.
The Arkansas River Collapse -May 27, 2002. Fourteen people died as another barge hit a support beam in the state of Oklahoma.
There have been more than 500 failures of bridge structures in the United States since1989 according to a study conducted by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The age of the failed bridges ranged from the construction phase of less than a year to 157 years. The average age of bridges was 52.5 years.
Floods and collisions were the top cause of bridge failures.
Overload and impact forces from vehicles attributed 20% of the total bridge failure.Other causes are design, detailing, construction, material, and maintenance. Human-induced events occurred but were not a major factor.
Published by D.N. Howard
D.N. Howard writes for Howard-Hirsch Publishing and is a co-author of Body Mind Soul Money: A 90 Day Life Renovation now available on Amazon.com. View profile
- An Analysis of the United States Oil Policy and OPECThe article gives analysis of United States policy towards OPEC and how this policy has hurt the country. It lists alternatives to the current policy along with the pro's and cons to the policy and arrives at the aut...
- An Evolving Democracy: The United StatesAt no other time in the 200-year history of the United States has there been a greater opportunity for people to be involved in the evolution of democracy.
- An Overview of the Non Profit Sector in the United StatesFind out why the United States has a non profit sector and how its role relates to the roles of government and business.
Opus Dei in the United StatesWhat is the truth of Opus Dei and what is their role in the United States?- Female Circumcision in the United StatesFemale circumcision is currently performed in the United States to enhanse sexuals sesation and for cosmetic reasons. In the past extreme forms of female circumcision were practiced in the United States.
- Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Brings Forward Eerie Coincidence with Last Major Bridg...
- Reflections of the Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Disaster
- Groupthink May Have Played a Role in Minnesota Bridge Collapse
- Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis Ranked No. 1 in Media Coverage
- Wells Fargo Donates $150,000 to Red Cross to Help in Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
- Minneapolis Bridge Collapse a Repeat in American History
- Children Affected by Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Get New Clothes
- There have been more than 500 bridge collpses in the US since 1989.
- There have been four major collapses in 18 years.
- Human-induced events occurred but were not a major factor.