Abstract
Many multigirder steel bridges built before 1985 are experiencing distortion-induced fatigue cracking at diaphragm-girder connections. A means of eliminating the cyclic stresses that cause those fatigue problems is to remove the interior diaphragms (diaphragms not at the girder supports). The effects of removing interior channel diaphragms from an existing three-span bridge with rolled steel girders are reported in this paper. The effects of removing the diaphragms are evaluated using field measurements of girder stresses and deflections made before and after the diaphragms were taken out. Results from tests with trucks of known weight indicate that removing the diaphragms results in increases up to 15% in the maximum bottom flange stresses at the most heavily loaded girder. Comparisons of measured and calculated stresses show that the conservatism of common design practice is not significantly reduced by removing diaphragms, and the effects of removing interior diaphragms are judged insignificant.
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.
