I-40 Bridge Collapse Analysis

McLaren was retained to evaluate the structural condition of the bridge and to assess the damage. Several teams of McLaren engineers were mobilized to perform underwater and topside inspection of the bridge and to collect data for use in evaluating the accident as part of a forensic investigation. McLaren was responsible for investigation of the bridge failure, oversight of the demolition procedures, preparation of documents summarizing the events, and assessment of the causes of the collapse. A sophisticated non-linear pushover analysis was performed using several software packages, to model and reconstruct the accident. Energy analysis was also developed to assess energy absorbed by the barge, pier, and superstructure.