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Old 03-15-2008, 04:11 PM  
quantum-x
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Interesting.
Normally cranes of this type [box girder] are much taller - they go up to 100 stories. 15 isn't much in comparison. Typically, when they go, they crumple - in principal, much like standing on a softdrink can - the strength of the whole comes from the structure of the individual elements - tap the side of the coke can, the entire thing collapses.

Curiously, what seems to have happened here is that the foundations / footings of the crane broke. Normally, these cranes have a hydraulic sleeve at the base, which raises the crane to facilitate the introduction of another box element . If I had to guess, I'd say that was the point of failure - as I couldn't see the boom of the crane, mysteriously.
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