Reasons of the Failure of Tacoma Narrows Bridge

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Recommended: Suspension bridge innovations after 1940s

Thesis: In order to prevent the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, all the static and dynamic strains should have been taken into account which would have involved proper consideration of effects of environmental conditions, building materials and design.

I. Environmental conditions

A. Effects and behavior of winds

1. Moderate winds, large oscillations

2. Wind effects on bridges

3. Transfer of wind

4. Vortices

5. Vortex streets

6. Vortex shredding

7. Frequency

II. Building materials

A. Properties of materials

1. Flexible

2. Weight

3. Dimension of the bridge

4. Fatigue strength

B. Engineering errors

1. Slippage of a band

2. The destruction of bridge similar to in the past

3. Not taking necessary precautions

III. Design

A. Analysis of sections

1. Span

2. Midspan cable ties

3. Use of plate girders instead of stiffening trusses

4. Towers

B. Evaluation of design

1. Stabilization

2. Damping, vertical stabilization and torsional resistance

3. Resonance

4. Dimension of the bridge and aerodynamics behavior

5. Dimensional relationships

The suspension bridge was originated from nature and they have been used for long ages. The first suspension bridges were thought to have been made of natural fibers in the eastern Himalaya. Early suspension bridges were known in South America, Asia and a variety of regions around the world. The evolution of modern suspension bridges is closely connected to the development of metals and composites. Modern suspension bridge construction has developed with the new technological components, materials and engineering knowledge. Experiences also widely affected the development of the suspension bridges. At the beginning of ...

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...ngineers. Virginia: ASCE Publications. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.tr/books?id= NxyYVuv1jzUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Irvine, T. (2009). The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Failure. Retrieved from http://www.vibrationdata. com/Tacoma.pdf

Hoa, L. T., & Anh N. D. (N.D.). Bridge aeroelastic analysis in frequency domain. Retrieved from http://uet.vnu.edu.vn/~thle/Bridge%20aeroelastic%20 analysis_notsubmit.pdf

Scheer, J. (2001). Failed bridges: Case studies, causes and consequences. Berlin: Wilhelm Ernst & Sohn. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.tr/books?id= UIzPPXzm83IC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Scott, R. (2001). In the wake of Tacoma: Suspension bridges and the quest for aerodynamic stability. Virginia: ASCE Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com.tr/books?id=DnQOzYDJsm8C&pg=PA63&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

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