The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Revisited

Abstract

This November marks another anniversary of the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, an example appropriate to introductory science or physical sciences courses from grade school to university. The purpose of this brief submission is to add an element to this story, which, despite having been mentioned before, has not received the prominence it deserves either as explanation for the event or for its cautionary lesson for design engineers. Specifically these are broken cable stays observed on the north side of the bridge prior to the bridge collapse.