Engineers question structure of Baltimore Key Bridge, say collapse avoidable if there was proper support

Engineers question structure of Baltimore Key Bridge & lack of fenders

Engineers have raised questions about the structure of the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge, which suffered a partial collapse after a cargo ship ran into it on Tuesday (26 March).

In particular, some experts said the collapse could’ve been avoided if there had been parts shielding the “critical” component that the vessel collided into.

Safety experts investigating the incident have acknowledged such concerns and confirmed that they will be looking into them during their investigations.

Cargo ship hit critical component of Baltimore Key Bridge

The New York Times (NYT) spoke to several engineers who claimed that cargo ship Dali struck a “critical component” of the bridge known as the pylon or pier.

The engineers compared the piers to legs which are “nonredundant” parts of a bridge’s structure.

Most of the interviewed experts said it’s “inevitable” for a bridge to collapse if a pier gives way. After all, there would be nothing to support the load and keep the bridge standing.

Even though most of the analysts agreed about the piers’ importance, some still felt that the collapse could’ve been avoided if there were structures to block or deflect the impact.

They referenced a blocking device known as “fenders”. These exist in various forms, from steel to concrete, rubber and even natural rocks.

Regardless of their composition, the fenders serve the same purpose — to protect the piers from damage.

Experts who looked through footage of the collapse said there were no signs of “significant fender structures”.

National Transportation Safety Board will look into bridge’s construction & structure

Pete Buttigieg, the US secretary of transportation, however, felt the incident was somewhat unavoidable, even if there were additional structures in place.

Calling the incident a “unique circumstance”, Mr Buttigieg said he “does not know of a bridge that has been constructed to withstand a direct impact from a vessel of this size.”

Meanwhile, Jennifer Homendy, who chairs the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) acknowledged questions about the bridge’s structure and the protective components.

Ms Homendy did not address the concerns directly. However, she said part of her Board’s investigations will be on the structure of the bridge and if there should be any safety improvements.

Also read: 6 workers presumed dead following Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse, rescue mission suspended

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Featured image adapted from Reuters.