The bridge that just collapsed in Miami was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane
On paper, the 40-foot wide pedestrian bridge on Florida International University's campus was an engineering feat, boasting several superlatives.
Posted — UpdatedHere are some, as outlined by the university:
It was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. Its durability was supposed to exceed 100 years. It's the first bridge in the world to be constructed entirely of self-cleaning concrete: It's made of titanium dioxide which, when exposed to sunlight, captures pollutant particles from the air and cleans its own concrete surfaces. It was installed in just a few hours just five days ago, although its construction wasn't finished.
The main span was built nearby to avoid traffic interruption and moved using a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled system that carried and set the 950-ton section. It's called Self-Propelled Modular Transportation and this was the largest pedestrian bridge in US history to be moved using this method.
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