What happened to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940?

1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge The third longest suspension span in the world opened on July 1st. Only four months later, the great span’s short life ended in disaster. “Galloping Gertie,” collapsed in a windstorm on November 7,1940.

Did Tacoma bridge collapse due to resonance?

[+] The collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on the morning of November 7, 1940, is the most iconic example of a spectacular bridge failure in modern times. Just four months later, under the right wind conditions, the bridge was driven at its resonant frequency, causing it to oscillate and twist uncontrollably.

What did we learn from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster?

“Blind spot” – Design lessons of Gertie’s failure. At the time the 1940 Narrows Bridge failed, the small community of suspension bridge engineers believed that lighter and narrower bridges were theoretically and functionally sound.

What destroyed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge?

The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened to traffic on July 1, 1940. Its main span collapsed into the Tacoma Narrows four months later on November 7, 1940, at 11:00 a.m. ( Pacific time ) as a result of aeroelastic flutter caused by a 42 mph (68 km/h) wind. The bridge collapse had lasting effects on science and engineering.

Why was the Tacoma Narrows Bridge failed?

In fact, the failure of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge was a combination of many factors, including design flaws. It used shallow plate girders to decrease the weight instead of deep open stiffening trusses, which rendered the bridge less stable. Also, the structure, quite simply, was too long for its width.

What happened to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge?

On 7 November 1940, the big news of the day was of the total failure and collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state. The bridge quite simply tore itself apart and fell into the waters of Puget Sound.

Was the Tacoma Narrows Bridge rebuilt?

The bridge was deemed a total loss, although the span’s steel cables were salvaged and sold. It took the state of Washington about ten years to rebuild the Narrows Bridge, this time designed to ensure that a similar disaster would never happen again. The newly rebuilt bridge was opened on October 14, 1950, longer and wider than the original.