Throughout history, man has achieved many engineering marvels of construction. It has taken many trials and error to get it right, and human lives were lost in the process. Here are 5 disastrous bridge collapses from history. They are a reminder of why it is important to not only be observant of your mistakes, but also to not ignore them.
Quebec City Bridge, Quebec
The Quebec Bridge was revolutionary in cantilever bridge construction. Cantilever bridges are long, continuous bridges that stretch across a body of water, anchored on both ends with pillars. A central span holds up the weight of the bridge. The bridge was built to span the Saint Lawrence and was hailed to be the longest cantilever bridge in the world (still is to this day). However, construction of the bridge was met with two disasters. The first occurred on August 29,1907. Disputes had occurred over whether the bridge should be completed when structural members of 2 inches had reportedly shifted. The problems were reported as minor, and construction resumed. On that disastrous day in 1907, the south arm and part of the central section of the bridge collapsed into the river. Seventy-five workers lost their lives that day. Though construction for the first bridge failed, construction for a second bridge began. In 1916 on September 11, while the central span was being raised into position, it fell into the river killing 11 workers. Construction of the bridge was finally completed in 1917, after the loss of 86 lives, $25 million dollars, and nearly two decades of construction.
Tay Bridge Disaster, Scotland
The original Tay Bridge was constructed in the 19th century and spanned two miles across the Firth of Tay. On December 28,1879 during a violent storm, the center section of the bridge collapsed. A train running across the bridge plunged into the waters taking with it 75 passengers. Of those 75, only 46 were found. Investigation into the reason for the disaster concluded that the bridge had many faults in design. No allowance for wind load was taken into consideration. The bridge was also top heavy, while the iron columns supporting the bridge were of poor quality. There was also evidence that the bridge had begun to deteriorate only months after construction. A new bridge was constructed and completed on July 13, 1887, slightly upstream and parallel to the new bridge.
Angers Bridge, France
Also known as the Basse-Chain Bridge, the bridge collapsed on April 16, 1850. It was a suspension bridge that spanned the Maine River. The bridge collapsed when 478 French soldiers marched across in lockstep (single close file). The soldiers marching caused the bridge to vibrate and twist from side to side, dislodging an anchoring cable from its concrete mooring. 226 soldiers lost their lives do to the massive load and corrosion of the anchors. The disaster led France to abandon suspension bridges altogether until 1870. A new bridge was built in the same location in 1960.
Ashtabula Bridge, Ohio
The bridge was built between 1863-1865. After 11 years it collapsed; more likely do to fatigue and brittle fractures at a flaw in an iron casting. On December 29, 1876, the Pacific Express No. 5, plunged through the iron bridge into a chasm nearly 70 feet deep. The train cars of the No. 5 had fallen into an upright position stacked and smashed on top of one another. Those who didn't die by drowning were burned as a heater still burning in the last car caused a domino effect igniting the cars. Of 159 passengers, 92 were killed or died later from injuries sustained. Two of the bridge designers committed suicide after the inquiry of the bridge collapse. The collapse would result in efforts being focused on bridges being adequately tested and inspected.
Silver Bridge, Ohio
The Silver Bridge connected Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio. On December 15, 1967, the bridge choked up with rush hour traffic, collapsed killing 46 people. Investigation into the collapse pointed to a failure in a single-eye bar suspension chain by a defect of 2.5 mm deep. The crack, along with heavy loads of cars being carried across led to the bridge's collapse.
