Which structural failure mode most directly challenged engineers constructing the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge?

💡 Explanation

When wind passed the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, aeroelastic flutter occurred because the bridge deck's shape caused alternating lift forces, leading to self-excited torsional oscillations that rapidly increased in amplitude. Therefore, resonance-induced torsional flutter resulted, rather than fatigue, slippage, or shear failure, each requiring distinct loading conditions and material properties.

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