FATIGUE TESTS OF WEB GAP DETAIL WITH SEMI-CIRCULAR CUT-OUT IN PLATE GIRDER BRIDGE

Abstract

Web gap plates, connecting between upper flange of plate girder and its cross beam, were fatigue-cracked due to concrete slab deflection. Semi-circular cut-out in the plate is one of the retrofitting measure, since it decreases the stresses in the upper edge of the plate. Fatigue tests were carried out on the three kind of 3-points bending model specimens of web gap detail with or without the cut-out. Finite element analyses were also carried out on an actual plate girder bridge model with or without the cut-out, and then fatigue life was calculated on the basis of their results.