Summary Draft #2

In the web article “I-5 and the Physics of Bridge Collapses”, Hartsfield (2013) claimed that the concept behind a functional bridge design is what leads to its failure as well. The article examined the various types of bridges and found that the different types of bridges have weaknesses specific to themselves.

One such example stated by the article is that truss bridges, which use geometric shapes as a basis for its strength and stability. As such, it is claimed by the article that deformations on the shape will cause the bridge to fail.

Suspension bridges fail due to its inability to withstand huge external forces. The article observed that “when an external force causes the bridge to vibrate at its resonant frequency, it causes the vibration to grow stronger and stronger”.

Another example of such a phenomenon are cantilever bridges. The article alleged that cantilever bridges are designed to be able to withstand the torque that the lever arm takes, yet failures are found to be due to construction oversight and overestimation of the torque it can take. The article concluded that understanding a bridge’s weaknesses is indispensable to uncovering the reason behind an unforeseen failure.

Hartsfield, T. (2013, May 28). I-5 and the physics of bridge collapse. RealClear Science.com. Retrieved from https://www.realclearscience.com/articles/2013/05/29/i-5_and_the_physics_of_bridge_collapses_106544.html

Summary Draft #1

In the web article “I-5 and the Physics of Bridge Collapses”, Hartsfield (2013) claims that the concept behind a functional bridge design is what leads to its failure as well. Truss bridges “are composed of steel beams in the shape of triangles”. According to the article, triangles are used for truss bridges as its shape cannot distort without a beam or joint failure. It is observed by Hartsfield that corner and beam failures are the underlying causes for most truss bridges.

Suspension bridges are built by hanging huge cables from “tower to tower” with smaller ones hanging straight down and fix on the road deck at the side. However, the failure of suspension bridges is mainly due to its design as well because it is not designed to withstand huge external force. Hartsfield states that “when an external force causes the bridge to vibrate at its resonant frequency, it causes the vibration to grow stronger and stronger.” This means that the design of the suspension bridge is also the reason for its failure due to its incapability of withstanding huge external force.

Cantilever bridges have a small base with little to no intermediate supports. Hartsfield claimed that cantilever bridge design is governed by “just how much torque the lever arm can take”, and that its failures are generally due to construction oversight or overestimating the torque it can take.

Letter of Introduction

Dear Professor Blackstone

I am writing this letter to introduce myself due to the lack of opportunity to do so in class. My name is Neo Cen Wei, but addressing me as Cen Wei will do. I am a first year civil engineering student attending your communication module, CVE 1281 Effective Communication.

Prior to my university studies, I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Civil Engineering with Business in 2017. My time in the course has reignited a childhood interest in me for civil engineering, and said interest currently serves as a motivating factor for me throughout my gruelling days of study in university.

What does not serve as a motivating factor for me however is my lack of communication skills daily. I have trouble keeping a conversation going or even starting one, for during times like that my mind just draws a blank. It has always been my weakness since young, and despite having seen improvements over the years, I feel that there is still much room for improvement.

On the other hand, I am quite confident in my ability to articulate and bring points or ideas across to other people. Naturally, it was not all smooth sailing, as I have failed to articulate ideas effectively before. Nevertheless, I am learning from my mistakes and improving myself as I go.

However, I believe that learning and improvement need not be only through mistakes. With this communication module, I hope to hone my communication skills and become a confident communicator in both spoken and written forms. As such, I look forward to the upcoming classes.

Best regards

Neo Cen Wei

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