Research on the collapse of Tacoma narrows bridge under the finite element application ANSYS of computational mechanics

Abstract

Compared with the collapse of the Tacoma Bridge in 1940, other bridges constructed around the same period remain functional. This research objective is to compare Tacoma Bridge and George Washington Bridge to determine the critical factors of collapsing behavior. In order to accomplish the goal, two bridge models are constructed for analysis and comparison. The finite difference method is applied to modeling in this process. From the modal analysis in ANSYS, the data of total deformation of Tacoma bridge is much higher than that of George Washington Bridge. Therefore, four factors are combined to demonstrate the collapse of Tacoma. This 1940s event is regarded as having landmark meaning and provide relative experience in the modern bridge constructions.