A BASIC STUDY ON THE RESIDUAL AXIAL FORCE OF THE HIGH-STRENGTH HEXAGON BOLT FRICTION JOINTS IN THE STEEL ROAD PLATE GIRDER BRIDGES SERVICED FOR 34 YEARS.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the residual performance of high-strength bolt friction joints, a typical joining method for steel bridges. In this study, the residual axial forces of high-strength hexagonal bolt friction joints were evaluated using steel roadway plate girder bridges that had been removed after more than 30 years of service. As a result of the investigation, it was confirmed that the residual axial forces were sufficiently higher than the design values in all except in a few cases, and that the joints of steel roadway bridges that had been in service for 30 years had sufficient residual axial forces. Additionally, it was confirmed that the residual axial force of box girder tended to be lower than that of plate girder bridges.