Girder Differential Deflection and Distortion-Induced Fatigue in Skewed Steel Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 11, Issue 2
Abstract
The prevalence of fatigue cracking in steel bridge girders due to out-of-plane web distortion motivates development of procedures to evaluate the effects of distortional fatigue. In a previous study sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) the frequency and magnitude of distortional stresses on a typical skewed, steel bridge with staggered, bent-plate diaphragms were assessed. The results revealed a diaphragm deformation mechanism that causes distortional fatigue in the girder web gap, leading to simple, accurate estimates of fatigue stress if bridge properties and differential vertical deflection between girders are known. In the present study, linear finite element models are used to represent composite steel bridges and identify bridge parameters that influence relative deflection of adjacent girders. Parameters found to have a significant effect on differential deflection include girder spacing, angle of skew, span length, and deck thickness. These results are incorporated in a simple procedure that is intended for use in management schemes for skewed, steel-girder bridges, with staggered, bent-plate diaphragms, susceptible to web gap distortional fatigue.
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Acknowledgments
This research would not have been possible without the generous support of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) through research Contract No. UNSPECIFIED74708, and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the US Steel Corporation by means of a joint AISC-US Steel Graduate Fellowship to the first writer. The writers would like to extend thanks to Paochen Mma, Joe Louis, Erik Wolhowe, Charles Deutsch, and Gary Peterson from the Mn/DOT Office of Bridges and Structures. In addition, the knowledge and direction of Ted Galambos, Robert Dexter (deceased), and Paul Bergson, and the advice of Eric Corwin and Altan Altay are gratefully acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 11 • Issue 2 • March 2006
Pages: 169 - 177
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 17, 2002
Accepted: Apr 21, 2005
Published online: Mar 1, 2006
Published in print: Mar 2006
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