bridge collapse
Span gives way
A bridge collapse is the structural failure of a bridge, causing it to fall partially or completely.
The term covers catastrophic failures from engineering flaws, material fatigue, overloading, natural disasters, or neglected maintenance.
Bridge collapses make headlines because they're sudden, deadly, and shake public trust in infrastructure: The bridge collapse during rush hour killed dozens.
The phrase also works figuratively for any dramatic breakdown of connection or support.
- structural failureLoss of load-bearing capacity
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- rubbleBroken building fragments
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- falling debrisObjects dropping from height
fallen · tragedy · rush hour · engineering · safety inspection · steel · concrete · crumble · plunge · river · victims · first responders · rescue · sirens · news helicopter · twisted · wreckage · inspection
- disastersdisaster, earthquake, earthquakes, catastrophe, floods
- accidentsaccident, car accident, bike accident, mishap, traffic accident
- collapsecave in, cave-in, fall in, give way, crumble
- disruptionsinterruption, disturbance, interference, delay, obstruction
- infrastructure failurespotholes, dam breach, power outage, water main breaks, water main break
- collapsesstructural failure, cave-in, dam failure, crumbling, buckling
bridge collapsebridge construction
Creating elevated passage structures
bridge building · bridge opening · ribbon cutting · infrastructure investment · bridge maintenance
bridge, collapse, bridges, bridged, bridging, collapses, collapsed, collapsing, collapsible