Bridge fires in the 21st century: A literature review

Bridge failures due to fires are more common than failures due to extreme weather or earthquakes. Yet, unlike wind and earthquake loading, fire does not receive the same level of attention. Major 21st Century fire incidents involving bridges are listed and discussed. Various methods by which fire could be considered in design are reviewed and discussed. Sources of fire test data, which include only one full scale fire test to-date, are provided. It is hoped that by considering these factors, codes, standards and engineering practice could be updated to include consideration of fire in routine bridge design.

Automated summary

Bridge failures due to fires are more common than those caused by extreme weather or earthquakes, yet fire safety in bridge design is often overlooked. By discussing major 21st Century fire incidents involving bridges and reviewing methods for considering fire in design, it is hoped that codes, standards, and engineering practice will be updated to include fire safety considerations in routine bridge design.