In this project you will study models of the failure of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Moderate winds would cause this bridge to oscillate, and in November of 1940, these oscillations became so so violent that the bridge collapsed.
You will explore a sequence of differential equations that model the bridge oscillations. The first equation is simple and easy to understand and solve. Then more realistic assumptions about the geometry of the bridge are included into the model. The resulting equations are slightly more complicated but they allow for large oscillations in the solutions. Finally, more complicated physics are built into the model. The resulting equations give a simple but realistic look at the failure of the bridge.
The models that you will be working with were described in a paper by P. J. McKenna1 in January of 1999. The dynamics of the bridge have been studied since it collapsed, and small scale oscillations have been understood for some time. However, McKenna and others are still working to understand how large scale oscillations arise and persist. In your project you will get a view of the newest research on this problem.
The details of this project are contained in the following links. Work your way through all the sections and follow the three answer templates to work the problems.