DETERIORATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WIRES IN SUSPENSION BRIDGE CABLES

Inspections of the cable systems in suspension bridges in the New York metropolitan area have shown that there are many broken wires inside the cables and at the anchorage, showing brittle fracture and extensive deterioration. These findings can only be explained if the complex deterioration mechanism of the high-strength bridge wires is clearly understood. In this paper, the results of an extensive investigation on the characterization of the mechanical properties of low carbon, high-strength wires used in suspension bridge cables and on their rapid degradation due to aging and deterioration are presented. The effects of hydrogen embrittlement, corrosion pitting and service stress on the ultimate strain and strength of bridge wires are analyzed using results from an accelerated corrosion testing program, conducted at Columbia University, and from previous inspections on suspension bridges in the New York metropolitan area. The importance of effective nondestructive evaluation techniques is highlighted.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1566769493
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This entry in the TRIS database is made from the hardback copy of the conference proceedings, which are also available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  Technomic Publishing Company, Incorporated

  851 New Holland Avenue, Box 3535
  Lancaster, PA  United States  17604
• Authors:
  • Betti, Raimondo
  • SMYTH, A W
  • Testa, R B
  • Duby, P
  • West, A C
• Conference:
  • Structural Materials Technology IV - An NDT Conference
  • Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • Date: 2000-2-28 to 2000-3-3
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 405-410

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Aging (Materials); Anchorages; Corrosion; Deterioration; Embrittlement; Inspection; Mechanical properties; Nondestructive tests; Pitting; Stresses; Suspension bridges; Suspension cables; Wire
• Uncontrolled Terms: Hydrogen embrittlement
• Geographic Terms: New York Metropolitan Area
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00793154
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1566769493
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 9 2000 12:00AM