Expert Witness Blog
Materials expert witnesses may consult on material failure analysis, building materials, material testing, and industrial materials processing. SFgate.com reports this week that the new eastern span of the SF-Oakland Bay Bridge has bolts made from galvanized steel that is virtually identical to that banned for use on bridges due to cracking. Dr. Charles J. McMahon, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Materials Science and Engineering, says “this steel is almost guaranteed to give you cracking under these conditions.”
Caltrans is testing bolts on the bridge that are similar to ones that cracked when workers tightened them in March.