A truss bridge is made up of components that connect to other components at each end. The vector sum of the forces at each of these connections MUST BE ZERO otherwise, that connection would be moving and take down the truss. When the ship hit the bridge stanchion, that immediately caused these force “balances” to become out of “balance” meaning that in at least one connection point (and probably many in very short order), the vector sum of forces became <,> zero. Note in the video that the mid point of the larger span was the one that collapsed first. It’s probable that the connection at the bottom/mid of that span had its vector sum changed due to the impact. Once that happens at a point, other points are sure to follow.
100% Correct — Basic 1301 Freshman Physics!
“...Note in the video that the mid point of the larger span was the one that collapsed first. It’s probable that the connection at the bottom/mid of that span had its vector sum changed due to the impact. Once that happens at a point, other points are sure to follow. 100% Correct — Basic 1301 Freshman Physics!”
I’m a bit tired at reading your rational well-reasoned approach to this matter!
It JUST HAD to have been explosives!