APPLICATION OF ADHESIVES TO STEEL BRIDGES

This study examined the feasibility of adhesive bonding and bolting tensile splices, beam flange splices and cover plates with ends bolted. The specimens were subjected to fatigue and static loading. The results showed that bonding the contact surfaces significantly increased the fatigue life of high-strength bolted splices. Bonding cover plates increased the fatigue life by a factor of 20 over that of conventionally welded cover plates. While bonding greatly increased the slip resistance of bolted joints, it had no effect on the ultimate strength of the joint. In an additional series of tests it was found that the creep strength of the adhesive bond decreases with time, particularly in outdoor environments when the ambient temperatures are high. Successful application of bonding technology requires careful adhesive selection for the intended service environment, characterization of adhesive properties, and detail design that limits cleavage and peel stresses in the bond line.

• Corporate Authors:

  Blunt and Evans Consulting Engineers

  9700-D George Palmer Highway
  Lanham, MD  United States  20706

  Federal Highway Administration

  Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Albrecht, P
  • Sahli, A
  • Crute, D
  • Albrecht, Ph
  • Evans, B
• Publication Date: 1984-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 185 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesives; Bolting; Bonding; Cleavage fracture; Creep; Fatigue (Mechanics); Flanges; Metal bridges; Slip resistance; Splicing; Steel bridges; Structural plates; Testing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fatigue life; Peeling
• Old TRIS Terms: Cleavage; Cover plates
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I34: Steels and Metals;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00393980
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-84-037 Final Rpt., FCP35K1-142
• Contract Numbers: DTFH 61-81-C-00098
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1985 12:00AM