3/27/2013 12:01:00 AM
NEWS BRIEF
Courtesy the SF Chronicle
MEDIA SPOTLIGHT — At least 30 of the giant bolts on the new $6.4 billion eastern span of the Bay Bridge have snapped, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Caltrans is considering replacing all 288 of the U.S.-manufactured bolts —which range from 9 to 17 feet with a 2.5 inch diameter — before the new bridge opens on Labor Day, according to the Chronicle. The cost or length of repair has not been determined.
“Toll Bridge Program Manager Tony Anziano said engineers are “pretty confident” the problem with the bolts is not a design issue or a construction problem but related to the quality of the steel bolts themselves,” according to the Chronicle.
While no final determination has been made, the problem appears to be related to hydrogen embrittlement.
The issue was discovered earlier this month reportedly when construction crews began tightening the nuts on either end of 96 bolts, the Chronicle reports. Days later the crews found that “one-third had popped loose, damaging the bolts.”
Anziano downplayed the setback.
“I’d be very surprised if you didn’t look at any large structural project that used fasteners and didn’t have an issue like that,” he told the Chronicle. “That’s why you have inspections.”
The bridge, which has been under construction for more than a decade, has had a history of setbacks.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission officials meet Wednesday for a full briefing. ©2013 GlobalFastenerNews.com
Editor’s Note: Articles in Media Spotlight are excerpts from publications or broadcasts, which show the industry what the public is reading or hearing about fasteners and fastener companies.
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