Summary Draft 2

In the web article “I-5 and the Physics of Bridge Collapses”, Hartsfield (2013) claimed that the concept behind a functional bridge design is what leads to its failure as well. The article examined the various types of bridges and found that the different types of bridges have weaknesses specific to themselves. 

One such example stated by the article is that truss bridges, which use geometric shapes as a basis for its strength and stability. As such, it is claimed by the article that deformations on the shape will cause the bridge to fail. 

Suspension bridges fail due to its inability to withstand huge external forces. The article observed that “when an external force causes the bridge to vibrate at its resonant frequency, it causes the vibration to grow stronger and stronger”.

Another example of such phenomenon are cantilever bridges. The article alleged that cantilever bridges are designed to be able to withstand the torque that the lever arm takes, yet failures are found to be due to construction oversight and overestimation of the torque it can take.

Hartsfield, T. (2013, May 28). I-5 and the physics of bridge collapse. RealClear Science. Retrieved from https://www.realclearscience.com/articles/2013/05/29/i-5_and_the_physics_of_bridge_collapses_106544.html

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In the web article “I-5 and the Physics of Bridge Collapses”, Hartsfield (2013) claimed that the concept behind a functional bridge design is what leads to its failure as well. The article examined the various types of bridges and found that the different types of bridges have weaknesses specific to themselves. One such example stated by the article is that truss bridges, which use geometric shapes as a basis for its strength and stability. As such, it is claimed by the article that deformations on the shape will cause the bridge to fail. Suspension bridges fail due to its inability to withstand huge external forces. The article observed that “when an external force causes the bridge to vibrate at its resonant frequency, it causes the vibration to grow stronger and stronger”. Another example of such a phenomenon are cantilever bridges. The article alleged that cantilever bridges are designed to be able to withstand the torque that the lever arm takes, yet failures are found to be due...
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