Any pictures of Ivan's destruction?

One thing they don't talk about ...

cruise ships and old bridges ...

If you knew what I know ... you'd never put yourself on a cruise ship ... ever again ... especially during storm seaon ... MAY -- NOV

And, so many bridges in America currently need work ... it's downright scary

These old concrete with reinforced steel bridges are being replaced all the time now ... spalled concrete falling out in chunks ... cross section bar corrosion exceeding 50% where exposed ...

the risk ... instantaneous failure like you saw in the picture :dis:

Ever think what a big storm could do to the Huey P. Long bridge in LA ... now that MOFO is just plain scary ... those riveted joints and that aging steel ...

INSPECTION INSPECTION INSPECTION!

 

I'm no engineer, but those bridges are not designed so that the loss of one section would necessitate a re-build of the entire structure. I called you out for "crawfishing" based on the flow of the argument. I'll summarize for you:

Ramah: They'll have to re-build the whole bridge.

Wesfau: No, they won't have to reconstruct the entire bridge.

Ramah: Well, what they will do will cost alot more than a rebuild.

You were wrong, but rather than acknowledge it, you crawfished. Whatever...

 

Typical Barner

Don't you know the bridge in question is decades old ... it doesn't have the new type expansion joints common in newer reinforced steel concrete bridges ... until inspected ... it's probably a best guess that it's a total disasemble and rebuild job ... you're dismissed

 

I know that bridge very well, actually. I'm from the panhandle of Florida.

You're still trying to justify your erroneous assumption and you're still wrong. I'm happy to be dismissed from your ignorant presence. :thumb:

 

Don't let the door hit your azz on the way

OUT ... and the thumb goes sideways for a ride ... not up :lol:

 

Looks like parts of Mobile are under H2O:

 

A CORSET FOR A WEAK BATHTUB?

 

My geek analysis

As a fellow Professional Structural Engeneer who has performed multiple condition surveys on corroded structures, including design of repair or demo for rebuild I do not think that this failure us the same in which you speak.

As you will notice the failure is due to a lateral force. None of the spans look to have failed in flexure or vertical shear (granted we cannot see the ones under water). But from the casual observance of the picture I am able to make these assumptions.

There is no doubt that this structure most likely has corrosion problems due to the salt water environment. But I believe that the anchors failed. It looks like the Bents remained in place. There does seem to be a gap where one or two bents may be missing.

Sorry to bore everyone with my geek analysis.

 

Can a brotha get a translation into layman's terms?

 

Yes.

The bridge is broken and will need to be fixed.
It cannot be used until then.
No way to tell from a single photo by a media photographer what caused the failure (besides the obvious, Ivan), how extensive the repair needed, how long or how much money it will take.

Relax, and stop the "mines bigger" nonsense.

Oh, yeah. I am also a PE.