Fatigue Performance of Bolted Single Support Bar Modular Bridge Joint Systems under Simulated Truck Traffic

The center beam (CB) to support bar (SB) connections in modular bridge joint systems (MBJS) in highway bridges are especially susceptible to fatigue cracking under repeated loading from crossing truck traffic, necessitating infinite life design of these connections. Welded CB-SB connections within multiple support bar (MSB) systems are more common in the United States; however, in-service performance of bolted CB-SB stirrup connections within single support bar (SSB) systems in other countries suggests that they can be successfully used to provide infinite life and higher fatigue resistance if adequately designed. The fatigue resistance of these connections has not been fully established within the AASHTO specifications. Recently, bolted SSB MBJS were evaluated by full scale testing of subassemblies at Lehigh University, which demonstrated an infinite life fatigue resistance of AASHTO Category B (currently specified as Category D) for CB-SB connections with adequate pretension. Revisions to the AASHTO specifications were proposed based on this study.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479117.018
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784479117
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Artmont, Frank A
  • Roy, Sougata
• Conference:
  • Structures Congress 2015
  • Location: Portland Oregon, United States
  • Date: 2015-4-23 to 2015-4-25
• Publication Date: 2015-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Pagination: pp 204-212
• Monograph Title: Structures Congress 2015

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bolted joints; Fatigue cracking; Highway bridges; Laboratory tests; Specifications; Structural connection; Subassemblies; Truck traffic
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01561777
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784479117
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 27 2015 5:10PM