The physics of resonance
Tragedies of synchronized steps
The wobbly Millennium Bridge
Engineering safer bridges
In what year did the London Millennium Bridge finally reopen to the public after being retrofitted with dampers?
How many fluid viscous dampers were added to the London Millennium Bridge to cure its wobble?
artiteacher Play this physics game to see how marching crowds can accidentally collapse a bridge. Learn how resonance affects structural engineering.
artiteacher Massive heavy blocks are suspended inside structures to counteract unwanted movement.
Into what form of energy do viscous dampers convert the kinetic energy of a swaying bridge?
What does a 'tuned mass damper' use to counteract the swaying motion of a bridge or building?
artiteacher Bridge Resonance
Break your step on the bridge! (Break your step!) The rhythm's gonna shake it down! (Shake it down!)
artiteacher Hydraulic fluid devices act like giant shock absorbers to calm bridge motion.
What advanced computer simulation method do modern engineers use to model bridge behavior under crowd loads?
Taipei 101 damper: The Taipei 101 skyscraper uses a giant 660-metric-ton steel ball suspended inside to resist typhoons.
Why are completely rigid bridges not always the best solution to prevent resonance?
What type of dampers, resembling giant shock absorbers, were installed on London's Millennium Bridge?
The amplification of a vibration that occurs when a periodic force is applied at a natural frequency. Engineers retrofitted London's Millennium Bridge with dampers to prevent this effect after its wobbly 2000 opening.