Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster - for iPad/Mac/PC
The Open University • Education
The Open University • Education
Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster - for iPad/Mac/PC
The Open University • Education
The Open University • Education

About

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.

Episodes

  • Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster
    A short introduction to this album.
  • Transcript -- Riddle of the Tay Bridge disaster
    Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.
  • The history of the Tay Bridge
    A look at how the Tay Bridge was developed and where it now stands historically.
  • Transcript -- The history of the Tay Bridge
    Transcript -- A look at how the Tay Bridge was developed and where it now stands historically.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.