Minneapolis Interstate 35 Bridge Collapse

The horrific and fatal Minneapolis, MN Interstate 35 bridge collapse has left inspectors, the state and engineers alike wondering what went wrong. When the dust settles, will the collapse be deemed a structural failure or did metal fatigue play a part? Preliminary reports suggest that the bridge recently passed inspection - but what testing methods were used to pinpoint structural weaknesses? Our coverage examines the engineering aspects of the disaster.

NTSB Reports: Construction Materials Contributed to I-35W Bridge Collapse
Minnesota's I-35W bridge collapsed under the weight of tons of sand and construction materials stored at two of the structure’s weakest points, according to reports released Monday by the NTSB. Full Story
2008-03-18 09:03:00
Design Flaw Identified in Minnesota Bridge Collapse
A serious error in sizing parts of Minnesota's I-35W bridge may have lead to the deadly collapse last year. Full Story
2008-01-15 12:11:00
Fatigue Could Loom Large in Bridge Collapses
Metal fatigue could be a cause in structural failures like the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota. The challenge lies in recognizing it. Full Story
2007-11-19 00:00:00
Minneapolis Bridge Contract Awarded, Protest from Losing Bidders
The contract for the reconstruction of I-35W in Minneapolis was given to Flatiron-Manson, but two of the losing bidders are protesting the decision. Full Story
2007-09-21 11:09:00
Focus of I-35W Bridge Collapse: Corroded Steel Bearings
Steel bearings designed to transfer huge longitudinal load shifts will get special focus as a triggering factor in the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis Aug. 1. Full Story
2007-08-08 13:21:00
Boston’s Longfellow Bridge Has Structural Deficiencies
The Longfellow Bridge in Boston, MA is slated for immediate repair during the state’s 40-day inspection of all bridges following the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota earlier this month. Full Story
2007-08-29 11:44:00
Minnesota I-35W Bridge Collapse: A Reporter’s Perspective
Instinct took over for these three Minneapolis reporters when the I-35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River. Whether at home or still at work, they kicked into high gear and raced to the horrific scene. Full Story
2007-08-08 12:50:00
Recovery Efforts Continue in Minneapolis’ I-35W Bridge Collapse
Vehicles and possibly victims could be under the fragments of deck found around the scene of the I-35W bridge collapse as recovery teams and contractors hurry to set up equipment for the removal of tons of concrete and twisted steel. Full Story
2007-08-07 11:27:00
Recovery Efforts to Begin in I-35W Bridge Collapse
The NTSB has given the go ahead to begin recovery efforts following last Wednesday’s collapse of the I35W bridge in Minneapolis, MN. Cranes, being brought in to remove the portions of the highway collapse, are being put in place as early as today. Full Story
2007-08-06 12:04:00
NTSB Use Accident Scene Mapping Team to Determine I-35W Minneapolis Bridge Failure
As the NTSB investigates Minneapolis' I-35W bridge collapse, its "Go Team" will use software to survey the scene and determine the cause of the structure failure. Full Story
2007-08-03 08:50:00
University of Minnesota’s I-35 Bridge Fatigue Evaluation: A Closer Look
The collapse of Minneapolis’ I-35W bridge into the Mississippi River has given new visibility to a deck truss fatigue report on the bridge, performed by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies in 2001. Full Story
2007-08-03 10:41:00
Structurally Deficient Bridges in the United States
With the catastrophic collapse of I-35W, speculation surrounding the rest of the country’s bridges has begun. A look at current bridge ratings gives insight into what "structurally deficient" means, as well as some methods for prevention. Full Story
2007-08-03 11:53:00
Minneapolis I-35W Bridge Collapse: A Truss Failure?
The collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, MN is the ultimate engineering calamity. DN Calamities expert Myron J. Boyajian shares his analysis of what likely caused the bridge failure. Full Story
2007-08-03 06:28:00
Minneapolis' I-35 Bridge Collapse: Is Structural Failure or Metal Fatigue to Blame?
Since the devastating collapse of Minneapolis' I-35W bridge into the Mississippi River on August 1, inspectors are scrambling to find concrete reasons for the bridge's failure. When the dust settles, will the bridge structure itself be to blame, or was metal fatigue the true cause of the collapse? Full Story
2007-08-02 10:05:00
A Bridge Builder’s View of the I-35W disaster
Jack Parker, president of 79-year-old bridge builder Reed & Reed, cautions against speculation behind the cause of Minneapolis' I-35W bridge collapse. Full Story
2007-08-02 10:27:00
I-35W Bridge Collapse: DN 's Latest Photos from the Scene
DN Editor-in-Chief John Dodge was at the I-35W bridge collapse scene in Minneapolis on August 9. View the photos he took for a close-up look of the bridge and surrounding recovery process. Full Story
2007-08-10 05:43:00
Minneapolis I-35 Bridge Collapse: Watch the Videos
The horrific and fatal Minneapolis, MN, Interstate 35 bridge collapse has left inspectors, the state and engineers alike wondering what went wrong. Watch these videos for a look at how the bridge collapsed and what has resulted. Full Story
2007-08-02 08:14:00
NTSB Investigations into Bridge Collapses/Collisions
View a list of past bridge failures investigated by the NTSB and view the NTSB's recommendations. Full Story
2007-08-03 07:24:00
Lab-Type Instruments Monitor Health of Structures in Beijing
Lab instruments are being used to monitor structural health and buildings in the Olympics in Beijing. Full Story
2008-08-20 08:50:00
Come Together
Sure there are several new products that in addition to improved performance, reduce waste, reduce cost and/or specifically meet regulations. But looking closely at many of the newest adhesives and joining products reveals an easy-does-it side. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Making It Faster and, of Course, Better
No matter what area of materials processing is involved, users look for a technology solution that meets a specification but more and more want something that provides an edge in their business. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
New Molding Systems Expand Options
There's an explosion in new materials and processing systems that expand the capability of engineers to design industrial products for demanding new applications. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Prefabricated Architecture: Engineering the Modern Home
An exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art shows how prefab houses increasingly make use of design and manufacturing technologies from the industrial world. Full Story
2008-08-05 13:46:03

I-35W Bridge Collapse: Rush to Judgment
There seems to be a rush to judgment to find the flaws that caused the I-35W bridge to collapse in Minneapolis. The new theory—faulty steel gusset plates—strikes me as grasping at straws. Why ... View Blog Post
2007-08-09 12:51:17
Readers give their view on why I35W Bridge Collapsed
A few readers have responded to our coverage on the reasons why the I35W Bridge collapsed. We’ve included what they had to say in this blog post’s comments section. What do you think brought... View Blog Post
2007-08-07 05:25:24
Boston’s Tobin Bridge is Falling to Pieces
A 57-year-old span of bridge in Boston is giving boaters a reason to panic. Over the past two weeks, debris falling from the Tobin Bridge has broken windshields and caused other damages to the bo... View Blog Post
2007-08-09 07:52:37
Boston's Tobin Bridge: Battered, bent and shaky
The huge Maurice J. Tobin Bridge that links Boston and the communities to the north is just three years shy of its 60th birthday. Every morning and sometimes in the evening, the two and one qua... View Blog Post
2007-08-02 09:40:28
Boron-Rich HDPE Can Replace Concrete in Nukes
I’ve heard of several new plastics that make excellent metal replacements. But concrete? That’s a first for me. A hydrogen-rich polymer loaded with boron actually can replace concrete as neutro... View Blog Post
2008-08-15 10:39:06
New Report on U.S. Bridges Released as I-35 Bridge Collapse Anniversary Approaches
Nearly one year to the date of last year’s I-35 Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis, a report released yesterday says at least one in four U.S. bridges needs repairs and at least $140 billion is neede... View Blog Post
2008-07-29 09:37:08

Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Review
2008-08-08 00:00:00

Design News Partner Zones

JUNE 24TH WEBCAST: Collaborative Requirements Engineering
Speed your innovation. Capture the "voice of the customer" and translate customer requests into user requirements that define new products. Find out why the new ENOVIA Requirements Management solution enables organizations to improve their overall global requirements management process. Read More

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.