[University]
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Disaster of 1980 – An Engineering Failure
Highway bridges on navigable waterways are at risk from vessel collision. Since they are primarily built to let vessels pass through, design considerations should include the probability of a major collision of its structural members from a passing vessel. There are several factors why vessels may come in contact with a bridge’s structural member. The deviation of a vessel from its path may be caused either by human error, mechanical error or may result because of adverse environmental conditions. Indeed, the collision of M/V Summit Venture with the pier of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was due to poor vision because of a “ ...
