ABSTRACT
The structural stability of suspension bridges is completely dependent upon a few critical structural elements: main cable strength, tower strength, adequacy of anchorages and connections, suspender rope (or hanger) strength, and main cable band bolts. This chapter will focus on the last item, main cable band bolts. All the loads from the bridge are transferred to the main cables by the suspender ropes and their connections. The lower connection of the rope to the stiffening truss is generally a shimmed socket or a pinned connection, both of which must be inspected routinely for corrosion or chaffing of the rope.
