Tacoma Narrows Bridge

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington was a suspension bridge that famously collapsed in 1940 due to aeroelastic flutter—a phenomenon where wind causes elastic vibrations in the structure. Despite its innovative design, the bridge’s stiffening and damping were insufficient, leading to oscillations that grew uncontrollably and ultimately tore it apart. The disaster highlighted the importance of understanding aerodynamics and wind effects in bridge design, leading to improved engineering standards. Today, it serves as a key lesson in engineering, emphasizing the need for thorough testing of how structures respond to environmental forces.