File:LomaPrieta-BayBridge-collapsed-section2.jpg

English: View of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge looking west showing the failed 15-m long section at Pier E-9. The view is looking west from the upper deck of the 88-m truss (beam) supported by Pier E-9. A 153-m-long truss, also supported at Pier E-9, is shown on the west side of the opening. The 15-m span of the upper deck was supported at the west end by bearings attached to the large north-south girder visible on the west side of the opening. These support bearings allowed expansion movement of the 15-m sections. Similar supports were provided on a girder on the east side of the opening, except the bearings were attached to prevent movement. Failure of the bearings of the 88-m (east) truss allowed movement toward the east. This pulled the 15-m sections (upper and lower), which were attached to it, off their expansion bearings on the west end. The spans then collapsed but remained partially attached at the east end.