Historical bridge failures and lessons learned

Overview

Bridges have failed throughout history and continue to do so, even in the twenty-first century.

If bridge engineers are to learn from past collapses, it is essential that those failures are investigated, reported and widely publicised.

This presentation will consider some historical case studies from the last two hundred years which have led to a step change in engineering understanding.

Finally, there will be a look at what the profession should be doing if the present trend of fatal bridge collapses is to be reversed.