WVXU: Could a bridge collapse like Baltimore's happen here?
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Professor Richard Miller is head of UC's Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, where he studies bridge design, construction and repair.
Miller told host Lucy May that truss bridges like the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore have been used safely and well for about 150 years, Miller said.
But most bridges aren't designed to withstand an impact from a vessel the size and mass of the loaded container ship MV Dali.
“Can we do it? With enough money and time, we can do anything. It becomes an issue of resources,” he said.
Miller said in his lab at UC, students work with structural steel used in bridges.
“We bring bridge girders in and test them. I am constantly amazed by how strong they are and how much damage bridge elements can take and still hold up,” he said.
Miller also spoke with WLWT about the disaster.
“Obviously, any time a bridge collapses, it's a great tragedy. The important thing to understand is there are millions of bridges in the United States. Bridge collapses are very rare,” he told WLWT.
Miller said boats that routinely traverse the Ohio River are considerably smaller than the massive container ships that travel through Baltimore Harbor. The 984-foot-long MV Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing as many as six people. Fully loaded, the ship weighs more than 100,000 tons, USA Today reported.
“We have nothing nearly as big as that container ship in Baltimore traveling on the Ohio River,” Miller said.
Listen to the Cincinnati Edition interview.
Featured image at top: UC engineers say boats on the Ohio River are far smaller than the massive container vessel that destroyed a bridge in Baltimore, killing as many as six people this week. Photo/Elliott Kolbus for UC
Latest UC News
- University of Cincinnati celebrates DAAP's class of 2024: shaping tomorrow's creatives and innovatorsDiscover the achievements of the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning's Class of 2024 as they graduate into the alumni family, showcasing exceptional talent and innovation. From prestigious awards to prominent job offers, these graduates exemplify the transformative power of creativity and dedication in shaping tomorrow's leaders.
- Ancient Maya blessed their ballcourtsUsing environmental DNA analysis, researchers identified a collection of plants used in ceremonial rituals in the ancient Maya city of Yaxnohcah. The plants, known for their religious associations and medicinal properties, were discovered beneath a plaza floor upon which a ballcourt was built, suggesting the building might have been blessed or consecrated during construction.
- UC celebrates record graduating class at commencementUC celebrated the largest spring commencement in its 205-year history during three days of ceremonies at Fifth Third Arena.
- CCM shares 2024 alumni and distinguished service awardsUC's College-Conservatory of Music is proud to present alumni and distinguished service awards to outstanding members of our community at the end of each academic year. The 2024 awards are presented to four accomplished alumni and one dedicated patron in a private virtual event on April 23.
- OTR mural centerpiece of 'big' celebration of UC alumniNew downtown artwork salutes 18 alumni award recipients who personify UC’s alumni success.
- The 2024 Toast recognizes achievements of Lindner’s Business FellowsThe Carl H. Lindner College of Business Office of Inclusive Excellence hosted its annual Toast event for the Business Fellows program April 18 at The Graduate Hotel Cincinnati.