The Science of Bridge Collapse Prevention

toddatcw writes "In the wake of the Minneapolis Interstate 35W bridge collapse this week, Computerworld investigates ongoing research which could someday help to prevent future disasters. Acoustic emissions detection systems, which listen for the sounds of metal snapping on structures, are already sold and fitted. Likewise, a new generation of detector systems that monitor for tilting of bridge columns and piers are being designed, prototyped, and researched. 'Sound waves move more efficiently through solid objects than through air, making any sounds easier to listen out for, Tamutus said. "It's not amazing. It's simple. Doctors use stethoscopes all the time. If you put your ear on a train track, you can hear a train approaching from far away... The Sensor Highway II systems, which are portable and can be moved from bridge to bridge as needed, usually cost between $20,000 to several hundred thousand dollars each. Typically, evaluations take between one day and a week.'"

Comments

The bigger problem

[weak*]

It was known well before the collapse that the bridge was in need of repairs. It seems that no public employee, elected or not, understands that prevention is better than reaction. New techniques to detect a heightened probability of failure are useful only if someone acts on the information once it is available.

Re:The bigger problem

[penix1]

It seems that no public employee, elected or not, understands that prevention is better than reaction.

No it isn't...

This may seem callous and cold in the wake of this incident but in fact it is cheaper (hence "better") for the state to react sometimes than to mitigate a hazard. It is simple economics. The federal cost share is 75% federal, 25% state. In catastrophic events, that split drops to 90 / 10, or at the discretion of Congress, 100% federal (Katrina is 100% federal). If the hazard you are attempting to mitigate would cost more than if it fails, then it is cheaper to let it fail. Of course, you run the risk to life and property when you do this so it is a huge gamble.

States are cash strapped with the thousands of "unfunded mandates" the federal government places on them. Everybody want services but don't want to pay for them in higher taxes. Then you get pandering politicians running on "lower taxes" campaigns further reducing a states ability to operate properly. It is a wonder it took this long for something to happen.