Suspension bridge cable wrap and application method

Abstract

An encapsulated cable for a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge, the cable (10) being encapsulated by a wrap (16) which is formed by spirally winding a flexible strand (S) of a synthetic rubber tightly therearound. The strand is wound with each wind thereof overlapping one-half the width of the preceding wind, thereby forming a uniform thickness, double layer wrap. After the spiral winding step the wrap is heated to heat seal the superimposed layers to one another to thereby seal the seam formed therebetween and shrink the wrap into tight engagement with the cable. The strand, specifically the outermost layer of a laminated multiple layer strand, is precolored with a suitable colorant to eliminate the need for after painting the wrap to obtain a suitable color match between it and adjacent portions of the bridge structure. A joint between the cable and an annular opening in a support member (14) through which it passes is sealed before the spiral wrapping step by positioning an elastomeric annular member (20) around the cable in engagement with the cable and the support member, tightly circumscribing the annular member with a synthetic rubber sleeve (26) to ensure that its engagement with the support member and the cable is sealing engagement, and then by performing the cable spiral wrapping step beginning at the support member to cover the synthetic rubber sleeve as well as the portion of the cable extending therebeyond.