What was the primary cause of the Tacoma Narrow... - JSS1 Basic technology Introduction to Structures Analysis Question

The primary cause of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse was aeroelastic flutter, a phenomenon where wind-induced vibrations progressively increased in amplitude until the bridge failed. This collapse highlighted the critical importance of considering dynamic wind loads and the flexibility of structures in the design process. The lesson learned was that engineering designs must account for not only static loads but also dynamic and environmental forces that can significantly impact structural stability. This event led to advancements in aerodynamic design and wind engineering to prevent similar failures in the future.