Fatigue performance of cracked rib-deck welded joint retrofitted by ICR technique

Abstract

To evaluate the retrofit effect by ICR technique (a new technique developed in recent years), relative tests were carried out with two cracked rib-deck specimens. The fatigue performance, including crack propagation rate, remaining fatigue life, and stress variation was analyzed. An improvement was observed through the test results after the cracked specimen retrofitted. Crack propagation in the treated specimen was restrained by the closed surface and residual compressive stress, and the crack propagation rate was reduced significantly. Stress at the welded joint and the crack tip was redistributed after ICR treatment. An increasing has been found near the weld toe, and reduction is occurred at the crack tip, which matches FEM results. This stress variation might contribute to a delay in subsequent crack propagation.