Mechanical impedance/reactance is a widely used idea in mechanical
and civil engineering. The dynamic motion of bridges and buildings
is sometimes even modelled using electronic circuit modelling tools
amongst other methods.

I guess that is the thing they forgot to calculate, or didn't know
how, on the infamous Takoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State which
collapsed when cross winds cause wild vibrations.


That was an unexpected coupling between the force from the wind and
torsional vibration of the roadbed. As the roadbed tilted, it "caught"
more of the wind and had more force applied, moving it further. The
torsional resonance was such that it oscillated with ever greater
amplitude (not much different than a flag flapping, or a blade of grass
in the wind.. not quite like a wind instrument reed, though)

As for whether it could have been anticipated? I don't know that
modeling was that advanced back then (1930s). The bridge was an
architectural feat, with a very delicate looking thin roadbed and much
longer than most other bridges (3rd longest when it was built, some 1500
feet longer than the Golden Gate, for instance). It was much longer and
thinner as compared to other suspension bridges of the time which were
double decked, (SF Oakland Bay Bridge) for instance.. making them
torsionally much stiffer). Interestingly, the designer of Tacoma
Narrows (Moisseiff) was also involved in the Golden Gate.