From Dominoes to Bridges: Application of Domino Wave Propagation Mechanisms in Cascading Collapse Prevention

Abstract

Focusing on the domino effect in physics, this study discusses the influence of factors such as domino spacing, mass, shape, and friction on wave velocity and propagation stability through the analysis of angular momentum conservation, energy attenuation coefficient, and collision torque. In engineering applications, the study applies domino wave propagation to the phenomenon of chain collapse in bridge engineering. The study analyzes the triggering role of external factors such as floods, scour, collisions, overloads, earthquakes, and fires in bridge structural failure, pointing out that the bridge collapse process conforms to the domino model of "local instability-chain reaction-overall collapse." The study suggests that in bridge design and maintenance, structural redundancy or damping devices can be installed at the seventh and eighth "critical nodes" to effectively block the transmission path of the "collapse wave," thereby preventing or mitigating the risk of chain collapse of bridges. This paper provides new ideas for the translation of the domino model into engineering practice and is of great significance.