Messina Strait Bridge - Suspension System

The suspension bridge achieves the very longest of spans by maximising the use of tension and minimising the suspended self-weight. The key to this is the Suspension System, dominated by the four main cables which together account for over 170 000 tonnes of high strength steel wire: 3,5 times that used to span the Akashi Strait and almost half the total steel tonnage in the Messina Bridge.

This paper will describe the design of the suspension system as it has been developed at Progetto Definitivo stage. The technologies used and the reasons for their selection will be discussed. The paper will present aspects of the suspension system design particular to Messina including the impact of the paired main cables; saddle and cable clamp design; the large hanger rotations and design solutions for mitigating bending stresses at the hanger socket.