How do they suspend suspension bridges?

sportsherald

If one wants all the details, a "Megastructures" episode would be helpful (e.g. Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Oqz-YP3Pk&feature=relmfu), but the basics are: the on-shore anchors for the cables ("chains") and the towers (with corresponding piers, or foundations) are built first, then the cable is fed from one anchor to the other with a smaller "guide rope" often used to lead the first structural cable. Once the first one is in place, it can be used to guide the others (if there are multiples), and trolleys and platforms can be used on the cables to build the rest of the bridge deck. The construction of one of the earliest stone/steel suspension bridges (Clifton) is described here: http://www.interactory.com/web/howbuilt/content/dev5 Apr 07 12, 5:34 PM