The function of the East Bridge’s anchor blocks is to anchor the very considerable forces from the main cables, partly through the large deadweight of the concrete structure and partly through a ballast of sand and iron ore, which gives a combined weight of 325,000 tons.
Usually, anchor blocks are massive structures that do not complement the slender structure of a suspension bridge. With regard to the East Bridge, however, a light structure has been created which reflects the distribution of the force. Approx. half of the solid mass has been placed below water level. The anchor block covers an area the size of a football field.
The main cables, with a total of 37 wire strands, are anchored to the bottom of the splay chambers in the back slanting leg of the anchor block. There is access from road level via stairs. In order to lower heavy maintenance equipment into the anchor block, hoisting gear with a capacity of 2 tons has been installed. All enclosed areas in the anchor block are dehumidified to prevent corrosion of cable wires, reinforcement and other steel components.
