HOW SAFE ARE OUR BRIDGES?
This article describes newly developed technology that focuses on a novel method to inspect suspension bridges. Vertical suspender cables are one of the most critical components for the stability of a suspension bridge. The cables that support the bridge are constantly exposed to load, vibration, and changing weather conditions, so deterioration is inevitable; wear, corrosion, and breakage occur on the internal wires of the cable and are not visible to the naked eye. The technology described here utilizes magnetic detection whereby a test instrument is installed at the bottom of a cable and is pulled up along its length. As the instrument travels upward, segments of the cable are magnetized and any damage, corrosion, or broken wires will cause a distortion of the magnetic field, which is then detected by a series of sensors. The instrument is highly sensitive, able to locate a metal loss as small as 0.2% of the entire cable.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1519687
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Corporate Authors:
N/A
P.O. Box 558
Park Ridge, IL United States 60068 - Publication Date: 2000-7
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: p. 16
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Serial:
- Better Roads
- Volume: 70
- Issue Number: 7
- Publisher: James Informational Media, Incorporated
- ISSN: 0006-0208
- Serial URL: http://www.betterroads.com
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge cables; Highway safety; Highway transportation; Magnetic detectors; Maintenance of specific facilities; Structural deterioration and defects; Suspended structures; Suspension bridges; Suspension cables; Tests specific to a material, structure or device
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00796065
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Jul 24 2000 12:00AM