AN INVESTIGATION OF THE FATIGUE STRENGTH OF DECK SLABS OF COMPOSITE STEEL/CONCRETE BRIDGES

An investigation of the effects of repeated loads on slabs of steel/concrete composite bridges--the most common type in highway construction--was undertaken to supplement static studies conducted under the Ontario Joint Transportation and Communications Research Program No. Q50. The study which involved tests of a number of 1/8th scale direct models of a typical bridge, was aimed at determining endurance limits of the slabs under repeated concentrated loads. Main variables were stress range, and percentage and arrangement of reinforcement. Emphasis was focused on slabs with 0.2 percent top and bottom isotropic reinforcement, this being the amount recommended for use as a result of the static model testing phase of the program. The study showed that the deck slabs of conventionally designed steel/concrete bridges have large reserves of fatigue strength. An endurance limit of 50 percent of the ultimate capacity can be expected in such slabs. In the case of slabs with 0.2 percent isotropic reinforcement, an endurance limit of 40 percent of the ultimate static capacity can be safely adopted for design. These slabs have also performed adequately in static tests; and adoption of their use, where appropriate, would result in considerable reduction of reinforcement requirements in bridge decks. /Author/

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 153-161
  • Monograph Title: Bridge Engineering. Volume 1
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00183759
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309026962
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Dec 3 1978 12:00AM