On July 1st, 1940, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, opened to traffic.
It dramatically collapsed into Puget Sound on November 7th.
The collapse was described as "spectacular".
From the time the roadway was built, it began to move vertically in windy conditions, and construction workers nicknamed the bridge Galloping Gertie.
This motion was still occurring after the bridge opened to the public. The bridge's main span finally collapsed in 40-mile-per-hour winds on the morning of November 7, as the deck oscillated in an alternating twisting motion that gradually increased in amplitude until the deck tore apart.
The bridge's collapse had a lasting effect on science and engineering. The event is presented as an example of elementary forced resonance. This is when the natural frequency of an object increases to destruction due to continual excitation.
The same thing happens to people’s minds when they constantly excite the negative thoughts.
Perhaps the engineering design company needed a maverick character on the team. Someone who is not afraid to challenge conventional thinking and go, “What if?”. Someone who looks at established traditional norms and goes, “That’s wrong!”
Perhaps if the design company had called us on 020 8337 6804 we could have helped them with a more ‘Perfect Team’. How can we help you?
Have you got your own ‘Team-Horror-Stories’? We’d love to hear them.
#collapse#mentalhealth#teamsDave MuttonDavid Fribbins Rob Boll Erika HarleyJohn GellettSteve Jones FCMIHenry Gewanter, FCIB, FCIPR, FIDM, MCIM, FRSAFraser Duncumb MCMIRichard C.Graham GoodayShaun OrpenCaroline Tuson
How could they miss?
The recent bridge failure underscores the need for proactive measures to protect against impact loads on bridge piers. While earlier designs may not have considered this specific risk, it's crucial that we prioritize safety by retrofitting existing structures with modern protective measures.
🌁 Can we avoid such catastrophic failures in the future? Can we design piers to withstand so high impact loads?
Read the IStructE's statement for the #FrancisScottKeyBridge#resilience#bridges#design
Just a day away from the grand opening of the Design-Build Green Hub, it will showcase an inclusive design development that will act as an incubator for building capacity for contractors.
"It was worth the wait," says Tanya Saldivar-Ali, who recently founded Detroit Future Ops (DFO313), the social arm of AGI Construction. Their focus: workforce development in construction. The Mission is simple: level the playing field for Detroit Minority Contractors.
"We want more people from our community to come through these doors," she says, her voice filled with determination. “Latinos are part of the solution to the critical need for skilled trades contractors. Southwest Detroit has been built and sustained by immigrants for decades. We have so many talented contractors who know the work but struggle with the business acumen because they have not been invited to the table. This is where DFO313 comes in. We’re here to share our network, knowledge, and experiences when going after that next contract, handling the paperwork, and ready to level up their businesses."
Detroit Future Ops (DFO313) is committed to building capacity and creating opportunities for local contractors in Detroit. With a focus on empowering minority-owned businesses and fostering inclusive development, DFO313 provides hands-on training, mentorship, and resources to help Detroit contractors thrive in the competitive construction industry.
#DFO313#WeBuildForTheNextGen
#Detroit#DetroitFutureOps#AGIConstruction#SouthwestDetroit#HubbardRichard#DesignBuildGreenHub#Development#Latino#Workforce#Sustainability#Empowerment#Mentorship#SmallBusiness#GrindDontStop#DetroitHustlesHarder#RealTalks
Managing Director || Slade Land Use, Environmental, and Transportation Planning, LLC, (“Slade”) || We build more than buildings, we build communities and people || DBE, MBE, WBE, WOSB,
Embarking on a journey to launch a company was never about having a backup plan for me; it was a clarion call—a mission to bring transformative change to the construction industry. Here's the heart of MY story. 😎
My path was carved through adversity, leading to the birth of Slade LLC, a venture grounded in necessity and courage to venture into new territories.
With a diverse background spanning communication studies, political science, urban planning, and law (yes, you read that right! #DidYouKnowThat), I wasn't just ready to challenge the status quo. I was prepared to redefine it!
But here's the twist—I wasn't just looking to fill a gap in the construction industry with integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. I was eager to get my hands dirty, literally. Testing the soil, not shying away from the grit and grind of the field, I embraced the essence of construction with open arms.
This wasn't a detour from a legal career. No, it was a deliberate choice to embrace a mission that called to me, loudly and clearly.
My venture into Slade LLC was proof that the road less traveled often unveils our truest callings.
And answering THIS call?
It's been the most gratifying decision of my life!
Now, I turn to you: What's the most uncommon decision you've ever made in your career, one that raised eyebrows but felt unequivocally right to you?
Let me know!
#SladeLLC#NotAfraidOfALilDirt#Construction#GeneralContracting#AlabamaContractor
🌟Meet Alex Tusing: Paving Her Own Way in Construction🌟
Alexandra Tusing has been a Project Manager at Scott-Long for 3 years, bringing a total of 13 years of experience to the construction table. Her drive? To land a well-paying job without the conventional college path.
Why Construction? It's all about the daily learning, the freedom from the traditional office setup, and the chance to wear jeans on the job. For Alex, construction means authenticity and breaking free from what’s expected.
According to Alex, women aren't just entering every field; they're excelling, construction included.
Top Projects? From the Dock79 apartments to the IFMC Pharmacy at SLC, Alex's work is making waves.
A Word to Women Eyeing Construction? “Do it. Stay true to yourself, stand tall, and kick ass."
Favorite Superhero? Forget fiction. For Alex, superheroes are a fantasy. Her focus? Real-life impact and achievement.
Alex is a superhero who is leading and shaping a future where women can be true to themselves.
#WomenInConstruction#RealHeroes#ConstructionCareers
Imagine trying to replace a bridge that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers regularly rely on to enter Manhattan. Not easy at all. So, how do you deliver on a project that impacts so many stakeholders? New York State DOT tried something different and used digital twin processes, which helped the team share project plans with over 180 reviewers across 15 agencies and address public concerns, which would not have been possible with conventional methods.
[Images: Southbound view of the Major Deegan Expressway from the 138th Street overpass via Wikimedia. 3D renderings of the design and construction plans courtesy of NYSDOT. Northbound view of the Deegan from the 138th Street overpass via Wikimedia.]
#roads#bridges#engineering#digitaltwin#infrastructure#projectplanning#projectdelivery#4Dmodeling#iTwin#NYC
Lead Transportation Planner at Arcadis
3moCongrats Seth and Kurt!