Abstract
In this paper, the fatigue performance of rib-to-deck joints in orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) using thickened edge U-ribs (TEUs) and the OSD using conventional U-ribs (CUs) are investigated based on the fatigue test result and in-situ monitoring data. Firstly, comparative fatigue tests were carried out with full-scale rib-to-deck specimens. Probability–stress–life (P–S–N) curves were derived through the test data measured from a total of 18 specimens, including 7 CU specimens and 11 TEU specimens. According to the results, the TEU can lead to a notable enhancement in the fatigue strength of rib-to-deck joints, i.e., 21.4% in terms of nominal stress and 21.1% in terms of hot spot stress. After that, a typical OSD steel bridge was selected as the prototype to investigate the fatigue performance of rib-to-decks in the OSD using TEUs under actual applications. In the analysis, the uncertainty in both fatigue strength, and vehicle loads were considered. A multi-scale finite element model of the prototype bridge was established, and numerical analysis conducted to derive the vehicle-induced stress spectra of the rib-to-deck joints in critical positions. In the derivation, a stochastic traffic model was employed, through which the in-situ measurement was incorporated. Finally, fatigue reliability analysis was carried out for the prototype bridge based on the above works. The result showed that a notably higher fatigue reliability can be expected in the rib-to-deck joint in OSDs using TEUs when compared with the joints in OSDs using CUs, which in turn can lead to notable improvement in fatigue life. For instance, under the target reliability of 2.3, the fatigue life of the two critical rib-to-deck joints were, respectively, increased by 153% and 155% when using TEUs.
Highlights
The orthotropic steel deck (OSD) has been widely employed in steel bridges, along with the evolution more than half a century after it was first invented as a battle deck in the 1930s
Based on the above analysis, the fatigue strength of thickened edge U-ribs (TEUs) specimens and conventional U-ribs (CUs) specimens are compared in terms of the mean value
The stress–life curve established under a specific survival probability is generally applied, which is called as the probability–stress–life (P–S–N) curve
Summary
The orthotropic steel deck (OSD) has been widely employed in steel bridges, along with the evolution more than half a century after it was first invented as a battle deck in the 1930s. Compared with other types of decks, the structural members in OSDs are highly integrated, leading to superiorities such as large loading-capacity, speedy construction, and light self-weight [1]. A considerable amount of welding works is applied to make up the complicated structural details in OSDs. As a result, fatigue cracking of welded joints becomes a very prominent issue in OSDs, especially when the truck traffic volume is high [2,3]. Among the different types of welded joints, fatigue cracks are frequently observed in the rib-to-deck (RD) joint located between the U-rib and deck plate [4]. Two major factors can accounted for the phenomenon—the large amount of RD joints and the vehicle loads directly applied on the joints. As a result, cracking in RD joints will cause serious consequences, i.e., the damage to the pavement and even the failure of the deck system
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