Cable Replacement in North America

Cable replacement projects are highly specialized as the cables are a critical tension member of the structural system of these type of bridges and often, the traffic on the bridge cannot be disrupted during the cable replacement works. The new cables also need to fit within the existing bridges and the detailing needs to be adapted to the existing situation. Experience of the design of cable supported structures, the knowledge of cables, the methods of installation, the design of specialized temporary works and detailing around anchorages needs to be combined. This article will cover the different aspects of cable replacement, the experience of suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges and will describe two case studies in North America.