FATIGUE EVALUATION OF TROUGH RIB TO DECK PLATE JOINT FAILED IN WELD THROAT

Abstract

Fatigue evaluation of trough rib to deck weld joint failed in weld throat is presented. S-N curve of the joint is determined in term of stress range in weld throat by carrying out plate bending fatigue tests and collecting previous test data. Two approaches are proposed for calculating stress range in weld throat in actual bridge with orthotropic steel deck based on one or two points of measured stress. Both methods give approximate fatigue lives, suggesting one point of stress measurement is also possible in practice. By stress measurement at an actual bridge with orthotropic steel deck, stress range in summer tends to be higher and thus more damaging than in winter.