Maximum Load Capacity of 3,360 Tons! World’s Highest Bridge Undergoes Static Load Test with 96 Vehicles

‌Source: CCTV News (http://content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/index.html?item_id=263800990540552820&t=1756089977961&toc_style_id=feeds_default&share_to=copy_url&track_id=7592c0ec-16c9-4e80-8752-9c62b902bb28) | August 25, 2025, 10:48:16

△ Load test vehicles awaiting the start of the experiment

In recent days, the world’s highest bridge—the Huajiang Canyon Bridge—has been undergoing load tests, a critical examination before its opening to traffic. Load testing is a key step in verifying the structural safety and load-bearing capacity of a bridge before it becomes operational, often referred to as the bridge’s “comprehensive health check.” The Huajiang Canyon Bridge’s load tests primarily consist of static load tests and dynamic load tests.

This morning (August 25), the Huajiang Canyon Bridge conducted the final phase of its static load test, with 96 test trucks applying pressure. The vehicles were divided into five batches, entering symmetrically from both ends of the bridge and parking along the bridge’s central line. The test fleet proceeded in the order of 24 → 48 → 72 → 84 → 96 vehicles, with each truck weighing 35 tons, resulting in a total load of approximately 3,360 tons on the bridge. This method simulated severe traffic congestion to examine the stress, strain, deflection, displacement, and cable tension of the bridge’s critical components.

Previously, the bridge underwent static load tests with 18 and 48 vehicles, as well as dynamic load tests. Preliminary analysis by the inspection team indicated that all data fell within the calculated limits.