LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE EVALUATION FOR WELDED JOINT OF SHEAR PANEL DAMPER IN MULTIPLE STEEL COLUMNS

Abstract

Multiple Steel Columns is an earthquake-resistance bridge pier which has shear panel dampers between four steel columns. In the previous study, although the shear panel damper absorbs the seismic energy, low-cycle fatigue crack has been observed around welding of shear panel. In this study, evaluation method of low-cycle fatigue based on local strain range at crack initiation point was applied to crack in shear panel. To simplify calculation of local strain range, relationship between mean shear strain range of shear panel and local strain range at crack initiation point was developed. For quasi-static and dynamic loading condition, crack initiation life was evaluated by simplified estimation method.