Risk Analysis of Fatigue Failure of Highway Steel Bridges
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 113, Issue 3
Abstract
A probabilistic fracture mechanics model was developed for determining the risk of fatigue failure of steel highway bridges. The model consists of: (1) stochastic inputs for crack growth rate, fracture toughness, initial crack size, and load history; (2) a deterministic fracture mechanics calculation of crack growth; and (3) a Monte Carlo simulation to obtain the output variable, i.e., the fatigue life. The following effects on the risk of failure were examined: inspection interval, truck weight, truck traffic, system versus detail reliability, and length of service life extension. The model was applied to three bridges with cover‐plated girders. It was found to predict well the short service life of the Yellow Mill Pond Bridge, Connecticut, in which the cover‐plate end details began to fail 12 yrs after bridge opening. The model is particularly useful in determining the risk of extending the service life of a bridge beyond its intended design life.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 113 • Issue 3 • March 1987
Pages: 483 - 500
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1987
Published in print: Mar 1987
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