FATIGUE STRENGTH OF U-SHAPED RIB REINFORCED TUBULAR COLUMN BASE STRUCTURE

Abstract

The paper addresses the fatigue problem of traditional connection detail for steel structures and provides the answer for the issue; replacement of the conventional ribs with the newly developed U-shaped ribs will maximize the fatigue strength of the rib-reinforced connection. Fatigue test for pole base structure has been performed to clarify that U-shaped rib configuration provides a dramatic fatigue property improvement in comparison with the orthodox rib configuration. Evaluation in accordance with the JSSC recommended S-N curve resulted in “stronger than grade C” for the newly invented rib, as opposed to “grade G” for the traditional rib structure.