Science Friday
Engineering Lessons One Year After The Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Mar 31, 2025
Join Dr. Abi Aghayere, a civil engineering professor at Drexel University, and Dr. Thomas McKenney, an expert in maritime engineering from the University of Michigan, as they dissect the Baltimore bridge collapse. Discover the design flaws and electrical failures that led to the tragedy and learn why many bridges remain vulnerable. The discussion also emphasizes the need for collaboration between port authorities and ship operators to improve safety and adapt to the rising threat from larger container ships.
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Quick takeaways
- The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse highlighted the critical vulnerabilities of older bridges due to outdated safety standards and designs.
- Balancing the efficiency of larger cargo vessels with bridge safety reveals complex challenges in maritime operations and infrastructure resilience.
Deep dives
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Overview of Events
On March 26, 2024, the container ship Dolly collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in a catastrophic collapse that claimed the lives of six maintenance workers. A series of electrical failures aboard the ship caused power outages that rendered its main engine inoperable, ultimately preventing the crew from avoiding the bridge. The initial blackout was triggered by an electrical breaker malfunction, leading to further complications when the power was eventually restored too late to avert disaster. The bridge's design, categorized as fracture critical, meant that the failure of a single component would result in a complete structural failure, contributing to the rapid collapse upon impact.
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