Who Broke The Bridge?

[Diggin It]

Cracked Memphis Bridge Indefinitely Closed, Disrupting Supply Chain

Arkansas officials said it had the potential to become a "catastrophic event," adding, "The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic and the river was closed to barge traffic as a safety precaution."

www.npr.org

Will some of you blame the Russians? Or the Chinese? Iranians?

Or maybe the three legged, eight eyed space aliens from the 17th realm?

 

[BravoXray]

Who to blame? Probably whoever was supposed to inspect it on a regular basis, or did not inspect it in a thorough manner and missed the impending signs of failure.

Probably a combination of corrosion and metal fatigue.

At least they caught it before it collapsed and killed people.

 

[oosik]

There are people who owe a debit of gratitude to those who finally pulled the plug. Inconvenience tops sudden death every day.

 

[ArlyA]

I can't tell from the photo just where this memeber is located,,, just the same, does not look like it rusted away to me.

 

[oosik]

Right Arlyn - looks more like some type of stress fracture. The bridge is simply pulling apart. What type of construction method relies on rivets and not welds. I wonder - is this bridge old enough that welding was not available when it was constructed.

 

[dusty3030]

Bridge was built late 60’s.
gets inspected every two years.
This is a major headache to trucking. The other bridge here on the TN side leads to a restricted truck route. There is a low overpass (13’ 6”) on the section of I55 right after you cross going southbound. Trucks higher than that are going to have to cross at Cauruthersville MO

 

[ArlyA]

I google it to see its a suspension bridge. Diagnosing the stress on that beam, is above my pay grade..

 

[Diggin It]

With no traffic ON the bridge, I would think there would be less threat to barges passing under it with speed controls and USCG monitoring.

 

[fried1765]

With no traffic ON the bridge, I would think there would be less threat to barges passing under it with speed controls and USCG monitoring.

There is absolutely no danger to barge traffic, with all bridge traffic already prohibited!
Somebody is playing the 2021 game,...... like wearing your mask outside, after being double vaccinated.
2021 is the year of total silliness!

 

[ruffdog]

Right Arlyn - looks more like some type of stress fracture. The bridge is simply pulling apart. What type of construction method relies on rivets and not welds. I wonder - is this bridge old enough that welding was not available when it was constructed.

It seems the rivets held just fine......now, about that weak spot in the beam.....