[Video] Baltimore Bridge: structural engineer Ian Firth discusses collapse | Tech & Science Daily

Ian Firth, a structural engineer and bridge designer, told the Standard’s Tech & Science Daily podcast: “We’re looking at a very, very large vessel, the type of which did not exist back in 1970 you know, much, much larger than was envisaged back then, a navigation channel which is only 350 or so metres wide, which is not very wide for ships of that scale, and so yeah, potentially, you could say it's a disaster waiting to happen sadly.”
According to Ian, the bridge was built in the early 1970s, at a time before structures designed to protect against collisions were considered a standard part of the build.
“We design structures in the water, in this country we call them dolphins, something which is sacrificial, something which, if the ship hits it, it doesn't hit the bridge.” Ian said
“It gets deflected by this object or slowed down sufficiently that if it does hit the bridge, the energy has gone out of it, and it's not going to do so much damage.
“It doesn't have that kind of protection. There is some, there is one little round object each side of the bridge I've seen from the photographs, but it's not adequate. It's obviously insufficient to do the job.”

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[aaronmicalowe]

Engineer's logic is the best in the world. Straight forward, can be easily modified to suit the listener, stays focussed on the subject and considers the subject from multiple angles. No blame. No assumptions. Just good old fashioned raw info.

[diligentmindz]

Now that is an engineer’s sweater! Very comforting.
The kinetic energy of a fully laden container ship traveling at 8 knots is more than double the energy of an a320 aircraft flying at cruising speed. It’s a powerful force!

[spaceinvader]

From what I can make out, the captain lost control of the rudder, and there was a strong North wind that guided the shipping container into the parth of one of the main structures of the bridge. Thank God that it happened in the early hours of the morning when the bridge traffic was quiet. And I pray for the six construction workers. That was on the bridge at the time. And the brave people that prevented others driving onto the bridge...

[sickssix]

I've been working on bridges since the 1970s and I can tell you exactly what happened
>>> a big ship bumped into a bridge and it fell over <<< The question is what was the captain and pilot ship doing at the time leading up to this disaster,

[neilhenderson-kd]

They said the ship lost power so had no steering or reverse thrust

[peterdunne]

Where are the tug boats.? To help this huge vessel to navigate this stretch . Crazy.

[Zelo-mx]

Someone please tell me what caused the explosion I get the bridge falling but not the explosion

[lorrainecouch]

It's basically a 'FOLLY'.
LOOKIE LIKIE.
I'd be concerned about it... STAGED PRODUCTIONS and STUFF.
50+ years to reinforce that bridge?
Or even limit the size of vessels?
I'm not surprised y'all talking about it.
These are extremely dangerous times.

[ericcatherine]

Im not no engineer but im wise enough to known for sure that more that a ship made that bridge collapse in its foot print

[retro]

Looking at the video you can see the ship loosing all electrical power before the strike

[richardharrold]

Not an engineer, just a cowboy with horses. Finally someone with expertise explains what could have prevented or at least reduced damage to the key bridge. I figured that out quickly. I read decision makers decided the pylon barriers were too expensive. It takes lives and a billion dollars to get it right? Come on man.

[mikeross]

The one sure thing that will come out of this tragedy is that a lot of lawyers are going to make a lot of money from the mountain of litigation that will follow.

[VilhelmHammershoi]

The ship's captain will have to walk the plank

[AlexanderBunting-lvky]

Basically the pilot and the reat of da crew couldnt read da signs

[phillawrence]

It didn't collapse it was destroyed

[shadowace]

why do we need a structural engineer's take on this? boat hit support, bridge go sleep..

[dougaltolan]

Whoopie, an expert is going to tell us that if you hit a bridge with a wrecking ball that weighs almost as much as the bridge, then it's fcuked!

Whodathunkit.

[peterward]

Probably just an italian "saluting" the bridge with his ship

[Jehovahssoldier]

I declare Jesus Christ is lord everywhere Jesus Christ is lord the one who was born of virgin marry and was crucified rose 3 day

[KungFuPANDA-ez]

Internet was switched with tates arrest news..

Then america was diverted with this bridge.

Something is going on post russia attack and qe are been divrted