Marching soldiers must break step when crossing bridges to prevent collapse

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

2 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Historical incidents, such as the 1831 collapse of the Broughton Suspension Bridge, demonstrated that rhythmic marching can induce dangerous mechanical resonance. Consequently, military rules have long required soldiers to break step when crossing bridges.

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Evidence for · 2

en.wikipedia.org: Broughton Suspension Bridge

Recorded source metadata

en.wikipedia.org: Broughton Suspension Bridge. en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broughton_Suspension_Bridge

Details the 1831 Broughton Suspension Bridge collapse from marching troops, prompting break-step orders.

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More for · 1

skeptics.stackexchange.com: Does a column of marching soldiers have to break their rhythm while crossing a bridge to prevent its collapse?

Recorded source metadata

skeptics.stackexchange.com: Does a column of marching soldiers have to break their rhythm while crossing a bridge to prevent its collapse?. skeptics.stackexchange.com. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/14213/does-a-column-of-marching-soldiers-have-to-break-their-rhythm-while-crossing-a-b

Discusses mechanical resonance from marching soldiers and whether they must break rhythm.

Source citation format

The paper trail · every fact has a biography

first checked31 Jul 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 7531 Jul 2026

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