Snap loads and torsional oscillations of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge

In 1940, the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge was completed on June 10 and opened to traffic on July 1. On November 7, the deck collapsed. Before that day, significant vertical oscillations had occurred, but no torsion. The bridge as built was stable with respect to torsional motion under the winds of November 7 and previous winds with higher speeds. However, snap loads in the diagonal ties attached to the north midspan cable band helped to loosen the band, and the frictional resistance between the band and the north suspension cable passing through it was overcome. The cable began to slip through the band. For this new structural system, with longitudinal motion of the north cable, the wind speed was higher than the critical speed for torsional flutter, and torsional motion was initiated. Approximately 700 cycles of torsional oscillations occurred during the hour prior to the collapse. In the present study, the snap loads on the cable band are discussed first. Then a continuum model of the central span (deck, cables, and hangers) is formulated. The longitudinal motions of the cables are included, so that the slippage can be incorporated. Known information from the observed steady-state torsional motion is utilized with assumed forms of the vertical cable displacements, and the governing equations provide the horizontal cable displacements, the dynamic tensions in the cables, the vertical and torsional motions of the deck, and the resultant lift force and pitching moment (including damping) acting on the deck during its final hour.