EEE 403 : Engineer and Society

Topic: The West Gate Bridge Collapse

Group 1

▪ Group Members:
▪ Muaz S. M. Anan (2020-1-80-055)
▪ Kazi Abid Shahnewaz (2020-1-80-066)
▪ Tanvir Hossain (2020-1-80-084)
• A. M. Nazmus Sadat (2020-1-80-090)
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 Table Of Contents :
Case Background …………………………………...... Slide 3-4
Engineering
….. Ethical Issue…………………………………. Slide 5
Engineer’s Responsibilities to Public Safety…….. Slide 6
Engineer’s Rights and Responsibilities………..….... Slide -7
Right Actions…………….......................................... Slide 8
Social & Environmental Impacts.......................... Slide 9
Conclusion………………………………….........................Slide 10-11
References…………………………………………………………Slide 12

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 Case Background
• West Gate bridge is located over Yarra river in
Malborne Australia[1]
• The construction of west gate bridge began in 1968
with an estimated completion date in 1970.[2]
• At 11.50 am on 15th October 1970, a span of the
west gate bridge collapsed during constructions.[1]
• 35 construction workers were died[1], 18 got
injured[2]
• The span 10-11 of the bridge collapsed during
construction due to a combination of design flaws
and construction errors.[1] Fig-1:Aerial shot of collapse of the west gate
Bridge in October 1970[3]

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 Case Background
 Design was done by FF&P(Freeman
Fox and partners) and they failed to
give a proper check[1]
 JHC and WSC were involved in
construction and erection of the
bridge[1]
 Unusual method was proposed by
WSC for erecction of span 10-11[1]
 To solve the problems, resident
engineer Hindshaw had every
intention of eliminating the buckle by
removing the bolts[1] Fig-2:Workers stand on the fallen span of the West Gate Bridge after its collapse[3]
* WSC– World Services and Constructions Co . Ltd**
* JHC-John Holland (Constructions) Pty. Ltd. **
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 Ethical Issues
❑ Lack ofresponsibility : ❑ Lack of professionalism

1. FF&P failed to give a proper 1. Hindshaw without proper

check[1] calculation gave permission
for the kentledge[1]
2. Unusual method proposed by
WSC[1] 2. Being unaware of the
situation during bolt
3. Absence of proper calculation[1]
removal[1]
4. Not obeying superior’s command[1]

They did not act in an ethical manner

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 Engineer’s Responsibility to Public Safety

 To follow usual and convenient method which is safe for public health and
welfare
 Ensuring designs, drawings and instructions are being clearly understood
 Ensuring all sort of safety measurements in construction site
 To do proper calculation before erecting any structure

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 Rights and Responsibilities of Engineers
Rights:
 To get proper guidance before
executing any action
 Right of each employee to be
protected and not be pressured
into doing things
 Right of getting proper safety
while working
 Be concerned about public
safety while executing any
project
Responsibilities:
 To let the public know about possible risks
and danger
 Review calculation properly and executing
proper designs
 Always make decision with proper
justification
 Estimating load calculation properly
 Take proper and immediate step if
mistakes have been identified
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 Environmental and Social impact
❑ Environmental impact:  Social impact:
 Material waste and resource  35 losses of lives and 18 injuries
consumption  Community distress
 Air and water pollution  Employment and livelihoods
 Noise and visual pollution  Public perception of infrastructure

 Ecosystem recovery safety

 Impact on workers and their families
 Long-term psychological effect

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 Right Action
 Proper design by FF&P and WSC had to be done

 WSC should have proposed an usual method

 Hindshaw ought to have made an accurate calculation

before giving permission for kentledge

 David Ward, the section engineer, should have left the

buckle in position until a later stage of construction.

 JHC engineers should have followed the instructions

of Hindshaw regarding keeping the kindledges on the
bridge
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 Conclusion
The West Gate Bridge collapse investigated by the Royal Commission
resulted in the following conclusions:
1. The bridge had structural design deficiencies that contributed to its
collapse
2. Poor communication between design and construction teams hindered
problem-solving
3. Faulty calculations underestimated stress loads, leading to insufficient
support for the bridge
4. Safety concerns were disregarded and inadequate precautions were
taken during construction

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Conclusion
5. The safety of the lifting process was judged based on an inadequate analysis of
the situation
6. Neither FF & P nor WSC had a comprehensive understanding of the stresses
imposed on the bridge
7. The bridge's collapse resulted from an unfortunate combination of errors rather
than a well-informed engineering calculation
8. The collapse emphasized the need for thorough design, meticulous
calculations, and robust safety measures in engineering projects

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 Reference
[1] Westgatebridge.org. [Online]. Available:
https://www.westgatebridge.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report-of-royal-
commission.pdf
[Accessed: 19-Aug-2023].
[2] “West Gate bridge 50th anniversary,” OHS Reps. [Online]. Available:
https://www.ohsrep.org.au/west_gate_bridge_50th_anniversary
[Accessed: 19-Aug-2023].
[3] “From the archives, 1970: The West Gate Bridge collapses,” The Age, The Age, 14-Oct-
2020.
[4] “The error,” Westgatebridge.org. [Online]. Available: https://www.westgatebridge.org/node/110.
. [Accessed: 19-Aug-2023].

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