Autostrada Bridge collapses in Genoa.

[AndrewE]

It does indeed look as if it operates on the principle of the balanced cantilever, and therefore any significant unbalance such as the loss of the span on one side could cause the tower to topple. The same is also theoretically possible with the Forth Bridge but that is a much heavier construction with no concrete (except maybe in the piers) or cables.

Yes, apart from the fact that the video shows the tower falling towards the missing deck spans, when I would expect the loss of load to make a tower topple backwards. Hence my surmising that the falling deck might have pulled the tower over, especially if the supporting concrete struts were of poor quality

 

[Groningen]

Italians think maybe that a bridge needs no maintenance. The amount of traffic in the 1960's (when it opened) and now has risen everywhere. This bridge did not even have a hardshoulder.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Italians think maybe that a bridge needs no maintenance. The amount of traffic in the 1960's (when it opened) and now has risen everywhere. This bridge did not even have a hardshoulder.

European motorways often don't, and in the UK newer smart motorways won't either. (It was found I believe to be safer and more effective to get rid, have a few laybys and just close the nearside two lanes if someone ends up stopping in a running lane than to have hard shoulder running on some occasions but not others).

 

[duesselmartin]

Just been I .Genova today. I was a great distance from the bridge at Brin Metro Station. What is left is very instable looking . One JCB working in the valley. A rail line double track is definitivly out of service. No trains calling at Genova Rivarolo.
The large yard shown on google maps are obviously a thing of the past.
All in all a very depressing emotional picture

 

[Groningen]

That total bridge has to be torn down?! Can not imagion that only the collapsed part will be rebuilt.

 

[duesselmartin]

Certainly the southern end still standing looks badly damaged. Yes, obe can assume the whole structure needs replacement.