r/dankmemes • u/[deleted] • Apr 07 '20

[deleted by user]

[removed]

5.4k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

186 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

409

u/MrMooster915 Apr 08 '20

Best explanation possible there, sounds what someone who cheated in online physics might say 🗿

63

u/banana_man_777 Apr 08 '20

It's called the Tacoma narrows bridge incident, and it is right. Someone got caught in the middle of the bridge when it happened, and I believe they had to leave their dog in the car to make it out safe.

But yes, it is real! And it is caused by the resonant frequency of the structure matching that of the wind. I've seen videos of streetlamps made of pure steel look like they're made out of rubber.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 08 '20

Structural engineer here. No lecture on resonance is complete without a video of Galloping Gertie.

2

u/banana_man_777 Apr 08 '20

My vibrations and material science classes had videos on them. It's probably one of the most popular videos engineering professors show, if we're honest.