Tacoma Bridge Case Study

As we discussed in our group, it seems that this project was sort of a new solution for a new condition that was not preformed before on any similar problem. It is obvious due to some aspects that were not considered before. Before building this bridge, the only forces that were considered in a bridge construction were downward forces and the whole bridge problem was considered a static problem. It was after building this bridge that engineers started to consider bridge problems with the whole known and discovered constraints which resulted into a new branch of engineering, Aerodynamics.

Although it seems that the process of defining the problem of vertical oscillation and finding some solutions and choosing one took a little more time than it was expected, because even in the construction phase, these oscillations were viewable and people from one end could see the cars in the other end of the bridge were going up and down harshly. So in another way the problem could be noticed much sooner and something could be done about it, but sticking to the regularities and ignoring the facts about the situation, even for a case that the reason behind it was unknown and unconsidered, could result into more dangerous disasters and may even risk human life.

Prior to the construction of the bridge, in 1940, there were successful suspension bridges built in the US. Following the designs and decisions of the other projects would have helped mitigate design or material failure risks. Also asking multiple engineers to check the work may have helped mitigate the probability of those risks. The impact however will always be high since failure of the bridge will result in loss of capital and possibly life.

The project budget and schedule are within reasonable control of the project manager. Failure to meet either will result in significant impacts but not necessarily as critical as the prior sets.

Misuse or abuse of bridge is beyond the control of the project manager. So this...