In partnership with Modjeski and Masters, Inc., TYLin, and Caltrans, the CERTEX USA Wilmington testing team recently completed a series of comprehensive load tests on the 2-1/4 in. diameter suspender rope assemblies for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge West Span.

These tests were performed in the summer of 2025 as part of the bridge’s scheduled inspection and maintenance program. While no issues were reported with the existing wire rope, periodic load testing ensures continued safety and structural reliability — a critical step in preserving one of California’s most iconic bridges.

 

Testing Built on Precision and Trust

 

At CERTEX’s OSHA-certified and ISO9001/AS9100-accredited Wilmington facility, our engineers conducted both straight tension and over-sheave configuration tests around a 30-in. diameter sheave, testing each sample to ultimate failure. A total of 15 suspender rope samples (2-1/4 in. diameter) were tested ,10 in straight tension and 5 over the sheave,

Using our 650-ton horizontal test bed and advanced instrumentation—including pressure and displacement transducers, along with our proprietary extensometer that attaches directly to the rope sample to precisely record rope elongation data up to failure—each sample was tested to confirm tensile integrity and elongation performance.

The results were exceptional:

• Straight tension samples demonstrated remarkable strength and consistency, performing well above the required standards with clean, ductile failure modes — clear evidence of material toughness and excellent rope condition.
• Sheave configuration samples maintained outstanding performance under combined tension and bending forces, exhibiting predictable elongation and confirming the rope’s continued reliability in service conditions.

In every case, the wire ropes performed exactly as intended, confirming their continued strength and reliability.

 

Pride in Performance

 

Behind these results stands the CERTEX Wilmington team, whose attention to detail and technical expertise continue to make them trusted partners for complex, high-stakes testing. From preparing socket terminations to executing controlled destructive tests and analyzing data, their craftsmanship and professionalism are at the core of every success.

Projects like this demonstrate why engineers, infrastructure agencies, and inspection firms turn to CERTEX — for proven results, clear data, and peace of mind that every test is performed with the utmost care.

 

Partner With CERTEX for Your Next Project

 

From bridges and marine structures to energy and aerospace applications, CERTEX provides testing, inspection, and rigging expertise to ensure safety and reliability where it matters most.

To learn more about our large-scale testing capabilities or to schedule a consultation, contact our Wilmington, CA branch at (310) 834-8535 or find your local branch at certex.com.