Did the I-35W Minneapolis, Minnesota bridge collapse due to use of corrosion causing de-icing liquids?

Answer 1

This is a good question. For those who don't know, this bridge has spouts build into the roadway that spray de-icing liquid on the bridge during the winter. My husband wondered about the same thing.

Answer 2

That may be part of the answer. Here is an additional factor. Here is one answer I found:

To whom it may concern:

I will get right to the point. I think I know what caused the Interstate 35W bridge to collapse...

Resonance.

This is not unprecedented. In 1940 the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed for a physically similar reason though it was a different type. Please see the movie at this link.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=P0Fi1VcbpAI

The fault lies with the design in which regions of support or flexing joints are evenly spaced instead of staggered.

This is consistent with the simultaneous breaking into equal sections, and with eyewitness reports of vibrations, and up and down movements. All of these relate to oscillations of standing wave patterns. One witness identified the vibration as driven by a jackhammer. Resonance can amplify modest vibrations.

Sincerely,

Scott Boman
Physics Professor
MCC and WCCCD

Answer 3

Why would you ask that? Isn't that pure speculation? It passed a bridge inspection 3 years ago. Besides, de-icing liquids are used throughout most of the country and you don't see bridges collapsing all over the place. Set back and let the professionals decide what happened. Right now, short of ruling out terrorism, the CAUSE of the collaps is secondary to rescuing the victims of the disaster.

Answer 4

That is just some theory right now...but actually there was proof that in 2005 MNdot checked the bridge and rated it at 50% (50% and lower means that it is not structually sound and needs to be replaced...) but then in 2006 they checked and said it was ok.

and to the person who said that bridge wasn't checked in three years..it actually was checked anually, and when it collapsed there were construction workers on it fixing cosmetic concerns (even if they weren't fixing structural things)

I think it was a case of either someone not wanting to waste time to rebuild it so they covered it up, or there was simply a mistake the second time around.

Answer 5

Based on ice cream consumption figures, the top five individual flavors in terms of share of segment in the United States are: vanilla (26%), chocolate (12.9%) neapolitan (4.8%) strawberry (4.3%) cookies n' cream (4.0%) and I love chocolate icecream from the limited choices given. If there were other choices I would have selected some other flavour. However, in most regular restaurants the choice you are given are very limited and it would be the 3 flavours you have given so I think you did good. There are too many flavours and variations (like personalities) so the 3 basic classic ones are a good idea. However, the chocolate personality did not match mine. I am not reserved, very chatty, open, friendly, outgoing, yes, love art, not sure about Indie Rock.

Answer 6

No... there was construction on it, but i live there, and ive been over the brdge many times... the only construction they were doing was paving concrete over and taking some concrete off. I listened on the news and they said it is very unlikely that the bridge would fall because of that construction... the bridge was also very strong.. only 40 years old.. wich is not old at all for a bridge... It is very possible that it could be a terriorst attack, but their main priority is to get any survivers or victems out

Answer 7

Depending on the schedule of inspections done on the bridge, it's unlikely. The bridge was undergoing a resurfacing and normal maintenance. I'm sure more details are coming later. Please, if you live in the metro twin Cites area around this incident and want to help, STAY AWAY from the scene and let the emergency response teams do their jobs. If you want to help, Call the Red Cross, Donate Blood. Keep all involved in your prayers.

Answer 8

I'm from Saint Paul, MN, about 10 minutes away from the downed river.

No one can vouch for the cause, and they'll never really know for sure. The best they can do is make theories based on a broken bridge.

WHY it happened doesn't matter, it doesn't change the fact that it did happen and people are hurt.

Answer 9

It may be days, weeks or months before we know the answer to that.

All that is known now is that it collapsed.

Answer 10

in 3 years since last inspection...how about practice of awarding to lowest bidder!