The report was needed to provide a progress update and likely outcomes on the investigation into an accident that took place on a bridge over Route 29 highway on 20th May 2000. Although privately owned, the bridge crosses a state highway and it is thus the responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Transport to ensure that a proper investigation into the accident is carried out. Mr. Neeson’s instructions were to: describe the incident itself and the possible causes •draw comparisons with any other bridge built at a similar time •draw conclusions regarding: the reasons for the failure of the bridge, the various parties that may be responsible and whether a case should be brought against all or some of the parties •make recommendations as to what should be done to prevent similar incidents in the future EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report is to provide the North Carolina Department of Transport with an update on the investigation into the recent collapse of a footbridge.
The report also determines which of the parties involved was at fault. Background to the investigation On the 28th May 2000, a footbridge owned by Lowe’s Motor Speedway collapsed over a state highway in North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Transport is responsible for ensuring that a thorough investigation is carried out to ascertain the causes of the accident. Method of investigation Information was gathered in the form articles describing the accident as well as the construction of the bridge.
The Essay on The Bridge of San Luis Rey 2
People who thinks of Thornton Wilder primarily in terms of his classic novella "Our Town," The Bridge of San Luis Rey will seem like quite a switch. For one thing, he has switched countries; instead of middle America, he deals here with Peru. He has switched eras, moving from the twentieth century back to the eighteenth. He has also dealt with a much broader society than he did in "Our Town," ...
Several members from the involved organisations were also interviewed. Results of the investigation Construction of the bridge was based on a ‘double T’ design. This particular design has not experienced failures in the past and a similar neighbouring bridge is still standing. It was found that the collapse of the bridge was not due to weaknesses of the design but due to corrosion of the steel used in the reinforcement of the bridge. calcium chloride was found in the grout used to fill holes during construction.
Conclusions Calcium chloride was introduced into the grout by the addition of a quick-drying-agent and this led to the formation of cracks in the concrete. These allowed moisture to reach the steel and thus led to corrosion and eventual weakening of the structure. Routine bridge inspections would have revealed the occurrence of corrosion. The calcium chloride was introduced into the structure by an additive added to the grout by Tindall Corporation. They are therefore partly responsible for the accident.
Lowe’s Motor Speedway did not carry out the routine inspections although it was their responsibility to do so. Speedway should shoulder most of the blame for endangering the lives of its customers. Recommendations The following recommendations were made in order to prevent the occurrence of similar incidences in future: •Mandatory bridge inspections to be enforced by the state •Only materials with listed ingredients are to be used in future •Dockets are to be opened against Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Tindall Corporation.
