This is a discussion post Narrows Suspension Bridge collapsed as a result of 40-

Question

This is a discussion post Narrows Suspension Bridge collapsed as a result of 40-mile-per-hour (64 kmv/h) wind conditions on the morning of November 7, 1940. A vide the collapse can be found here. Discuss physics principles that could have led to the collapse. Estimate the period and wavelength of the standing wave. (The full bridge length was around 180 meters, but the longest span was 850 meters.) How could 40 mph winds cause such damage? How could the collapse have been avoided? Make an initial posting before replying to other threads

Explanation / Answer

The basic physics principle behind the collapse of Tacoma narrow bridge:

When the wind strikes at 40 mph, it undergone the torsional vibrational mode. Here two physics principles are involved. One is the fluttering in which the degree of freedom in that structure members turn to couple of unstable vibration. This vibration need to resist the natural damping but this negative damping amplified the oscillation and leads to failure.

Other involving principle was aerodynamics and resonance. Resonance is the increase in amplitude in certain frequency.

Failure could be avoided by following reasons:

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