EXAMINATION OF BRIDGE EYEBARS

Four carbon steel eyebars taken from two bridges have been examined at the AAR Technical Center. Metallurgical examination and testing was performed on specimens prepared from these eyebars to study the properties and fracture behavior in both a corrosive and non-corrosive environment. Experimental results were compared to the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board's report on the collapse of the Point Pleasant, West Virginia bridge. The findings for the eyebars studies indicate that they were less susceptible to failure because: 1. Higher fracture toughness in the bars investigated. 2. Insignificant effect of a corrosive environment in accelerating the growth of a flaw leading to failure. Therefore, the results indicated that eyebar bridges constructed prior to the use of heat treated eyebars (before 1920), are less likely to develop a non-detectable eyebar crack leading to failure than those bridges where heat treated eyebars were used.

• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • Stone, D H
  • Shearer, M P
• Publication Date: 1973-12

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 43 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bars (Building materials); Bridges; Carbon steel; Fatigue (Physiological condition); Fracture mechanics; Metal bridges; Steel; Steel bridges
• Uncontrolled Terms: Eyebars
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080290
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-151 Mat Survey
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1976 12:00AM