Abstract
In visual inspection of bridges at sites, much attention is given to the density and width of cracks of concrete, but little attention is paid to crack orientation for the diagnosis of bridge performance. In this research, the effect of crack orientation on the remaining fatigue life of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks is investigated for crack patterns with a wide range of possible crack orientations. The data assimilation technology of multi-scale simulation and the pseudo-cracking method, which are widely validated for fatigue-lifetime simulation, are utilized in this study. The impact of the crack direction on fatigue life is found to be associated with the coupled flexure-shear mode of failure, and the mechanism to arrest shear cracking by preceding cracks is quantitatively estimated. This mechanism is similar to the stop-hole to prevent fatigue cracks in steel structures, and it enables us to enhance the fatigue life of RC decks. It is demonstrated that the crack orientations that approximate the longitudinal and transverse directions of RC decks are the ones that most extend remaining fatigue life. Finally, the higher risk cracking locations on the bottom surface of RC decks are discussed, presenting information of use to site inspectors.
Highlights
Bridges are essential infrastructure for transportation and trade
The remaining fatigue life of reinforced concrete (RC) decks needs to be rationally estimated for reliable social stock management
This study focuses on the effect of crack orientation on the remaining fatigue life of RC decks with consideration of focuses on the effect of crack orientation on the remaining fatigue life of RC decks with consideration a wide range of crack orientations
Summary
Throughout the world, fatigue-inducing repetitive traffic loads and environment-related defects, such as corrosion, thermal and shrinkage cracking, and freezing and thawing, lead to degradation of reinforced concrete (RC). Bridge decks [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. In areas of higher seismic activity, where the reduced weight of bridge viaducts is beneficial, the fatigue damage of thinner RC decks whose thickness is less than 200 mm is a common issue. In Japan, the preservation plan for Japanese highways [17] calls for more than 50% of the total maintenance budget to be spent on the renewal and repair of old RC decks, which were designed and constructed before the 1970s. The remaining fatigue life of RC decks needs to be rationally estimated for reliable social stock management
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
