Officials Load Bridge With 110-lb Bags To Test Strength

Story ByJohn FengSub EditorJoseph GolderAgencyAsia Wire Report

Video Credit: AsiaWire

This footage shows officials testing a bridge’s load-bearing capacity by covering it in hundreds of bags of water each weighing over 100 lbs.

Video of the structural test has stumped social media users and left them wondering why officials would need to put some 800 bags of water out under the sun.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire

The video filmed in the town of Maotai, which is in Renhuai City in Guizhou Province in south-western China, shows the bags laid out side to side and covering the entire surface of Hongjun Bridge.

The pedestrian bridge, which translates from Mandarin as the ‘Red Army Bridge’, is built high above the waters of Chishui River.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire

It has become a tourist hotspot in recent years, and the local government has taken steps to ensure it can bear the weight of increased visitor numbers.

The hundreds of bags, each filled with over 50 kilogrammes (110 lbs) worth of water, confirmed the bridge could safely hold around 40,000 tonnes.

Picture Credit: AsiaWire

Local resident Mr Feng, who filmed the test, said: “They were testing the bridge’s load-bearing capacity.

“They wanted to see if the bridge could hold large crowds.

“They brought each bag onto the bridge and then pumped water into them from the river below.

“It took about four hours.”

According to reports, the bags were punctured and the water leaked back into the Chishui River below.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.