The appointment of the panel follows the discovery that three out of more than 400 steel anchor rods for the new self-anchored suspension span were unable to carry seismic proof loads.
The 10 panel members met with Caltrans engineers last week to begin developing a testing and analysis programme for the system.
"These are some of the best people on the planet to help us determine exactly what was wrong with those few rods," said Dr Brian Maroney, chief bridge engineer of the Bay Bridge project. "And we will also tap their outstanding expertise as we determine how we best protect the remaining 99% of the rods."
The expert panel will focus on the seismic anchor rods that were previously discovered to not be fully grouted and in some cases exposed to standing water. The panel will help design tests of anchor rod behaviour in environments that reflect potential earthquakes. The threaded anchor rods are part of the bridge's system to protect it during a seismic event.
Repairs had to be carried out in 2013 following the failure of rods securing bridge's shear keys (link opens in new tab).
