Minn. Bridge Collapse. Prayers to all.

[El Presidente]

Minn. Bridge Collapse. Prayers to all. We were just made aware of it and hope all members and families in Minneapolis are safe.

Keep us informed guys.

[havanaclub7]

» Minn. Bridge Collapse. Prayers to all. We were just made aware of it and

» hope all members and families in Minneapolis are safe.

»

» Keep us informed guys.

So far six fatalities. All said it's been pretty miraculous considering the number of cars on the bridge (about 50) and there were at least two school buses as well. Unfortunately the number of deaths is likely to climb. But the number of people who just got up and walked away from the disaster is very encouraging. Thanks Rob for the best wishes.

[smokum]

Couldn't have let go at a worse time either...

[Trevor2118]

A 40 year old structure collapsing at peak hour.....horrendus.

As a retired Structural Engineer, this sort of thing makes my blood run cold........its "sort of"........there but for the grace of God.........

Prayers to all affected by this catastrophe.

[Jimmy2]

Very sad prayers sent.

[anacostiakat]

» Minn. Bridge Collapse. Prayers to all. We were just made aware of it and

» hope all members and families in Minneapolis are safe.

»

» Keep us informed guys.

Here is an update from [link=http://www.cnn.com/]CNN[/link]

Fatalities expected to rise to 30. :-(

[Ginseng]

The crazy thing is that it was inspected in 2004 or 2005 and found "structurally deficient."

I don't know what that means in precise engineering terms and risk, but it doesn't good.

Wilkey

[Andyman]

» The crazy thing is that it was inspected in 2004 or 2005 and found

» "structurally deficient."

»

» I don't know what that means in precise engineering terms and risk, but it doesn't sound good.

Checking in from MN - I think we got lucky that more lives were not lost.. 140,000 cars craoss that bridge every day. the collapse happend in the heart of rush-hour traffic.

Unfortunatly it looks like it could have been prevented. "Structurally defcient" refers to having found cracks in the gurters that support the bridge. not good at all!!

[Tiny Tim]

Terrible situation.

A security camera captured the actual collapse:

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?f=00&g.../?GT1=10252&fg=

[Trevor2118]

» The crazy thing is that it was inspected in 2004 or 2005 and found

» "structurally deficient."

»

» I don't know what that means in precise engineering terms and risk, but it doesn't good.

Australian use of this term would not indicate "structurally inadequate".

Structurally deficient would be used if a structure does not meet current design codes, even though it meet the design codes at the time of construction.

A structure can be considered structurally adequate but still not comply with current design codes. Codes tend to evolve, while structures deteriorate.

A new Code may require different/ higher design loads or require a longer design life, and for that reason alone, the structure could be "deficient".

In this case, it appears that deficiency has regrettably deteriorate into inadequacy.