Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations The Obturator on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Cabagan–Santa Maria Bridge collapse

JStephen

Mechanical
Aug 25, 2004
8,715
I ran across a live video of this bridge collapse (doesn't show much, though), and realized it seems to have escaped notice here.
Information seems rather fragmentary. This article by surveyors ponders the surveying aspects, although that seems unrelated, but gives basic details:
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

102 tons on a body job truck? Maybe more like 51 tons. I once crossed the scales with 30 tons on a body job licensed for 22 Tons.
I may be wrong. That truck box may be larger than it appears.
 
Someones got their units wrong alright. No way can a 4 axle rigid carry 102 tons. Not even 50.

Looks more like the main girder beam failed or the vertical bars onto the deck failed.
 
The report said a convoy of trucks were crossing. Maybe the one in the photo is not representative? Based on YouTube videos I have seen of trucks crossing bridges in developing nations, nothing would surprise me.
 
All looks rather flimsy to me

What looks like a girder bolted joint in particular. Nice and rusty.

Case closed?

Screenshot 2025-05-22 152018.png

Screenshot 2025-05-22 152051.png
 

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor