Team assessing bridge collapse risk

A team from John Hopkins University is assessing bridge collapse risk in the US.
By MJ Woof June 11, 2024 Read time: 1 min
Research will be carried out in the US to determine which bridges will be vulnerable to impacts from large vessels following the collapse of the Francis Scott Bridge in Baltimore – image courtesy of © Charlie Floyd| Dreamstime.com

A team of specialists will analyse the risks of catastrophic collapses caused by vessel impacts facing bridges in the US. This comes in the wake of the fatal collapse of the Francis Scott Bridge in Baltimore.

A large container vessel suffered a series of technical problems and lost engine power and steering, then drifted into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Bridge, causing it to collapse. Although the crew of the vessel had managed to alert the bridge authorities who were able to stop traffic crossing the bridge, a number of workers carrying out maintenance were killed in the collapse.

The specialists from John Hopkins University will analyse key bridge links in the US and determine how many others could be at risk of collapse.

Erected in 1977, the Francis Scott Bridge had been inspected prior to the collapse and did meet requirements. However, it predated the introduction of large modern cargo vessels and did not feature some of the protection measures for its supports now required on modern bridge designs. The new crossing replacing the Francis Scott Bridge will feature measures that will prevent its collapse in the event of a ship impact.

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