A briefing on pedestrian-induced lateral vibration of footbridges

The highly publicised closure of the London Millennium Footbridge due to excessive lateral vibration at its opening on 10 June 2000 has highlighted a potentially critical loading effect not currently considered in international bridge design codes. The purpose of this note is to alert designers to the phenomenon, to disseminate information about it, and to identify what further research is necessary before definitive design rules can be developed.