Ivan Collapses Part of I-10

[logybogy]

People pictures do not lie and it was not just the east bridge of I-10 that was wiped out in places. The west side was also wiped out in spots as well.

The picture does not lie. Don't trust what you can't see.

[BigBeep]

If I remember correctly the bridge decking section immediately in front of the trailer is missing entirely. When the surge came through, the bridge decking probably sliced the trailer in half taking the cab and part of the trailer. Notice how all the damage is from right to left?

[DonnaL]

What I can't explain to myself is how the back half of the empty trailer managed to stay on the bridge, and exactly what kind of force sheared the trailer so cleanly in two.

Suggestions?

It does not take great force to break a trailer into. Trailers are not made of heavy material.

The sides are thin sheets of 4 x 8 sheet metal backed by 1/4 inch plywood on the inside.

The top and bottom of the trailer has a 6-8 inch wide piece of 1/4 inch steel called the top and bottom rail, the sheet metal panels are attached to the top and bottom rail with thin aluminum posts.

Once the top or bottom rail breaks, the trailer can and will fall apart. I work for a trucking company and I have seen trailers break before.

Donna

[SootyTern]

I hope that truck was the only vehicle on the causeway. I can' t look at these pictures without remembering the Opal evacuation in '95- I heard cars were stopped dead in traffic across that span and the people in them got out and walked to either end to get off the bridge-this was a few hours before landfall when she was still a borderline cat 4/5.

[borderPatrol2329]

I looked at the pic at the link provided by Lindaloo:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/ ... 1849.shtml

What I can't explain to myself is how the back half of the empty trailer managed to stay on the bridge, and exactly what kind of force sheared the trailer so cleanly in two.

Suggestions?

Yes, one, fibreglass sides and top. When the deck of the section that the cab was on dislodged and plunged into the bay, the cab dropped almost vertically. The trailer sat firmly on the deck immediately behind. The center point of the trailer appears to have been almost on the seam between the two decks. Before the weight of the cab ripped the hitch from the underside of the trailer. it bent the steel flooring of the trailer at its midpoint. Fibreglass does not handle lateral shearing forces as well as aluminum or steel. The sides were splintered, and the roof was then left to the mercy of the roaring winds which likely folded it back until it snapped off.

[huricanwatcher]

I looked at the pic at the link provided by Lindaloo:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/ ... 1849.shtml

What I can't explain to myself is how the back half of the empty trailer managed to stay on the bridge, and exactly what kind of force sheared the trailer so cleanly in two.

Suggestions?

Yes, one, fibreglass sides and top. When the deck of the section that the cab was on dislodged and plunged into the bay, the cab dropped almost vertically. The trailer sat firmly on the deck immediately behind. The center point of the trailer appears to have been almost on the seam between the two decks. Before the weight of the cab ripped the hitch from the underside of the trailer. it bent the steel flooring of the trailer at its midpoint. Fibreglass does not handle lateral shearing forces as well as aluminum or steel. The sides were splintered, and the roof was then left to the mercy of the roaring winds which likely folded it back until it snapped off.

was about to post....... in the same lines of this.. shear weight of the cab vs the weight in back or trailer..........

[Ivanova]

Ivans Remnants Close I-40 On N.C.-Tenn. Border
200 Primary And Secondary Roads Impassable


POSTED: 4:42 pm EDT September 17, 2004

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Ivan's remnants are affecting travel between Tennessee and North Carolina. All lanes of Interstate 40 in Haywood County have been closed due to a slope failure.

Motorists are being detoured onto Interstate 81 in Tennessee and Interstate 26 in North Carolina. Widespread flooding, downed trees and landslides in western North Caorlina and has closed 200 primary and secondary roads.

Road conditions are expected to worsen througout the day. North Carolina Department of Transportaion crews are working to make roads passable at several locations, including I-40 in Haywood County.

Officials urge motorists to avoid the area until further notice. Driving into or around standing water is extremely dangerous and one of the leading causes of death in flooding conditions.


http://www.nbc17.com/travelgetaways/3740497/detail.html



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[yzerfan]

Contracts have been awarded for bridge repair in Escambia County. The goal is to have one of the I-10 spans reopened in 30 days. I guess they're assuming the pilings are fundamentally sound, and they're only going to have to replace the roadbed.

They want to have the Three Mile (Pensacola Bay) Bridge open in three days, and the Garcon Point Bridge open in five days.

No word on US 98 near Ft. Walton Beach yet, but I assume they're going to similarly fast track rebuilding there.

[LaBreeze]

Just heard the news report that divers have found the cab with the driver in it embedded in mud.

[Pebbles]

OMG How HORRID!

[Lindaloo]

What I would like to know is why the trucker was on the bridge? Was he crossing the bridge after the storm and did not see the damage until it was too late? Or was he caught on the bridge during landfall?

Either way this is sad!!

[panichead4469]

I smell a movie contract if and/or when they ever recover any kind of details about the driver. Anyone agree?

[GalvestonDuck]

A movie contract?

Eh?