Suspension Bridge Cables: Pathologies, Inspection, Alternative Materials

Suspension bridges and their main cables are designed for a service life of over 100 years. Hence, the health of such cables is one of the main issues for bridge owners. In this article, pathologies, loading conditions and inspection requirements are discussed. Critical aspects of structural health monitoring of bridge cables are identified. KEYWORDS: bridge cables, stress corrosion, fatigue, NDT, inspection, maintenance.