Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster - for iPad/Mac/PC - podcast cover

Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster - for iPad/Mac/PC

The Open University•www3.open.ac.uk
Education
Higher Education
On December 28th 1879, the Tay Bridge collapsed as a train passed over it, killing all 75 passengers on board. At the time of this tragedy, the Tay Bridge was the longest bridge in the world, and to this day the accident remains the worst structural disaster the UK has ever seen. This album attempts to unlock the mystery of this catastrophe, through several plausible explanations and expert opinions. This material forms part of the course T173 Engineering the future.
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Episodes

The Tay Bridge Disaster

Open University professor, David Swinten reveals there was a violent storm on the evening of the bridge collapsing, while Eleanor Simpson shares a personal story about the tragedy.

May 11, 2009•2 min

Transcript -- The Tay Bridge Disaster

Transcript -- Open University professor, David Swinten reveals there was a violent storm on the evening of the bridge collapsing, while Eleanor Simpson shares a personal story about the tragedy.

May 11, 2009

The Tay Bridge Investigation

Dr Denis Smith of Kirkcaldy Museum explains how the museum led an enquiry and discovered the bridge was poorly designed and constructed. A last minute alteration to the bridge is also investigated.

May 11, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- The Tay Bridge Investigation

Transcript -- Dr Denis Smith of Kirkcaldy Museum explains how the museum led an enquiry and discovered the bridge was poorly designed and constructed. A last minute alteration to the bridge is also investigated.

May 11, 2009

Bill Dow's theory

Bill Dow has spent over a decade researching the Tay Bridge disaster, and here he shares his theory that the train de-railed through a combination of heavy wind and a weak girder.

May 11, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- Bill Dow's theory

Transcript -- Bill Dow has spent over a decade researching the Tay Bridge disaster, and here he shares his theory that the train de-railed through a combination of heavy wind and a weak girder.

May 11, 2009

Tom Martin's Tay Bridge analysis

Mathematician Tom Martin uses the modern method of 'structural computer analysis' to understand the failure of the bridge, and looks at how this failure started at the base columns due to heavy winds.

May 11, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- Tom Martin's Tay Bridge analysis

Transcript -- Mathematician Tom Martin uses the modern method of 'structural computer analysis' to understand the failure of the bridge, and looks at how this failure started at the base columns due to heavy winds.

May 11, 2009

Forensic Engineering

Dr Pete Lewis explains how he believes the dynamic effects of vibration and the inappropriate use of cast iron, caused fatigue to the Tay Bridge and were responsible for its collapse.

May 11, 2009•7 min

Transcript -- Forensic Engineering

Transcript -- Dr Pete Lewis explains how he believes the dynamic effects of vibration and the inappropriate use of cast iron, caused fatigue to the Tay Bridge and were responsible for its collapse.

May 11, 2009

The Hatfield accident

Professor Roderick Smith explains the cause of the Hatfield accident while others look at how the flaws of the Tay Bridge are still used as lessons for today's engineers.

May 11, 2009•2 min

Transcript -- The Hatfield accident

Transcript -- Professor Roderick Smith explains the cause of the Hatfield accident while others look at how the flaws of the Tay Bridge are still used as lessons for today's engineers.

May 11, 2009
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