What is the diameter of the two main cables on San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge?
The Bridge has two main cables which pass over the tops of the two main towers and are secured at either end in giant anchorages. The main cables rest on top of the towers in huge steelcastings called saddles. Diameter of one main cable with wrapping: 36 3/8 in. = 0.92 m Length of one main cable: 7,650 ft = 2,332 m Total length of wire used in both main cables: 80,000 mi = 129,000 km Number of galvanized wires in one main cable that are 0.192 inches in diameter: 27,572 Number of strands in one main cable: 61 Weight of both Main Cables, Suspender Cables & Accessories: 24,500 tons = 22,200,000 kg The wire comprising each main cable was laid by spinning the wire using a loom-type shuttle that moved back and forth as it laid the wire in place to form the cables.
