Introduction
Earthquakes and other natural disasters can damage or destroy man-made structures. Imagine that you and your teammates work for a company that specializes in building disaster-proof structures. For an example, your company has built a skyscraper in Detroit, Michigan. This building is designed to withstand the winds of a tornado. For this project you have been asked to design a skyscraper that will be built in a city where earthquakes sometimes occur.
The city planners would like to see your design along with the designs of other companies. They will select the best design for the construction of the skyscraper.
Even with the best of planning, structural failures can occur. Check out this video clip of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster. This bridge became known as the "Galloping Gertie." High winds caused the collapse of this bridge in 1940. How could this bridge have been designed differently to prevent its collapse? Click for Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
The city planners would like to see your design along with the designs of other companies. They will select the best design for the construction of the skyscraper.
Even with the best of planning, structural failures can occur. Check out this video clip of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Disaster. This bridge became known as the "Galloping Gertie." High winds caused the collapse of this bridge in 1940. How could this bridge have been designed differently to prevent its collapse? Click for Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse