Fatigue Behavior and Retrofit Investigation of Distortion-Induced Web Gap Cracking

This paper studies a Kansas Department of Transportation welded plate girder bridge that developed fatigue cracks at small web gaps close to the girder top flange. Repair had been previously performed by softening the connection plate end with a slot retrofit, but cracks were recently found to have reinitiated at some of the repaired details and are again propagating. A comprehensive finite-element method study was performed to investigate the cracking behavior observed in the bridge and to recommend appropriate measures for future bridge retrofit. The analytical results show that stresses developed at the top flange web gaps could exceed yielding under the loading of an HS15 fatigue truck. The current slot repair used in the bridge was found to have introduced higher magnitude fatigue stresses in the web gap. To achieve a permanent repair of the bridge, it is recommended that a welded connection plate to flange attachment be used during future bridge retrofit. The web gap details should be able to withstand unlimited number of load cycles once this additional repair is performed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/32947845
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from ASCE
• Authors:
  • Zhao, Yuan
  • Roddis, W M Kim
• Publication Date: 2007-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 737-745
• Serial:
  • Journal of Bridge Engineering
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1084-0702
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/beo

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge engineering; Cracking; Fatigue (Mechanics); Finite element method; Plate girder bridges; Rehabilitation; Retrofitting; State departments of transportation
• Geographic Terms: Kansas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01080821
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 15 2007 10:40AM