Bridge Collapse in Germany: Atypical Movement Detected Almost Two Years Before

Deformation cluster identified at failed joint area of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, Germany.

September 17, 2024

On 11 September 2024, around 3 a.m., a section of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, Germany, collapsed. Value.Space conducted a post-failure satellite-based assessment of the bridge to determine whether signs of structural weaknesses may have been visible before the bridge’s collapse.

Carola Bridge – opened in 1971 - was made up of three superstructures (linear parts): the eastern and middle parts carry road traffic. The collapsed western part carried tram lines, a pedestrian walkway and major district heating pipes for the city, which were damaged, causing significant disruption to public transport and district heating. Shipping on the river was suspended because of debris falling into the water.

Top image: Aftermath of the Carola Bridge failure captured from the west. Below: Failed section of the bridge’s western superstructure highlighted.

Value.Space carried out a satellite assessment of the Carola Bridge in Dresden for three years leading up to its collapse - from 14 September 2021 to 4 September 2024. Satellite data revealed a distinct movement cluster on the western part of the bridge, which is located on the southern edge of the collapsed bridge section at the exact area of the failed structural joint.

Distinct movement cluster on the collapsed section of the western part of the bridge located at the area of the failed structural joint.

The data timeline for the cluster shows movement with a distinct directional path on the bridge/overpass of up to 23.50 mm per year. From October 2022, the movements in the cluster began to show an atypical pattern with diverging paths. Based on this, Value.Space would have alerted on-site engineers had the bridge been under regular satellite monitoring.

Detailed data timeline for the deformation cluster, showing atypical movement beginning from October 2022.

This movement cluster is unique to the western part of the bridge, no similar clusters were identified on the intact eastern and middle parts. Satellite-measured data also identifies movement on the northern side of the bridge structure. Combined with the above-mentioned distinct movement cluster it could have indicated additional stress accumulation in the bridge’s western superstructure.

If you want to obtain a copy of the assessment summary for the Carola Bridge failure or get in touch, please reply to this email. We look forward to speaking with you soon!