Designing Bridges to Move: The Hidden Engineering Behind Flexibility

Discover the unseen forces that shape the world’s most trusted infrastructure as we explore how bridges are designed not to stand still, but to move. This video uncovers the critical role of flexibility in structural engineering, highlighting how bridges must adapt to changing temperatures, shifting ground during earthquakes, and the constant rhythm of traffic. By focusing on components like expansion joints and bearing pads, we reveal how these often-overlooked details are essential in preventing damage and ensuring long-term safety.

We also examine what happens when this flexibility is neglected, recreating the conditions surrounding historic bridge failures such as the I-35 collapse. Through visual explanations and structural analysis, this video presents a deeper understanding of how engineering choices directly affect public safety. Wh ...