Fatigue of Corrugated-Web Plate Girders: Analytical Study
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 9
Abstract
This paper presents finite-element and fracture mechanics studies of plate girders with corrugated webs. The failure mode of this type of girder under fatigue loading is distinguished by its location in the tension flange and is discussed in detail. A comprehensive nonlinear finite-element analysis was conducted to study the effects of the different geometrical parameters of this type of girder on the stress concentration at different locations, and to explain findings of an earlier experimental study. Different parameters, such as the radius of curvature between the web folds, the inclined fold angle of inclination, and the use of sinusoidal corrugation were investigated. Two sources of stress concentration leading to fatigue cracking were isolated; one is dependent on the radius of curvature between the web folds and the other depends on the inclination angle of the inclined fold. An analytical technique based on fracture mechanics is proposed to determine the fatigue life of the girders. The technique enables designers to evaluate the fatigue life of structures built using corrugated web steel girders and subjected to fatigue-type loading, such as bridges or industrial facilities subjected to dynamic loading.
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Acknowledgments
The experimental work of this study was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Grant No. CMS-9634570, and the test specimens were manufactured by High Steel Structures, Inc., Lancaster, PA USA. The analytical work in this study forms a part of an ongoing research in McMaster University Centre for Effective Design of Structures (CEDS) funded through the Ontario Research and Development Challenge (ORDC) Fund. The financial support of the Centre is greatly appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 9 • September 2006
Pages: 1381 - 1392
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: May 18, 2005
Accepted: Jul 28, 2005
Published online: Sep 1, 2006
Published in print: Sep 2006
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Jin-Guang Teng
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