Abstract
This study evaluated the fatigue performance of rib-to-deck welded joints in orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) with thickened edge U-ribs (TEUs). Fatigue performance of four rib-to-deck specimens with TEUs was investigated and compared with those of three rib-to-deck specimens with conventional U-ribs. Overall, the use of TEUs enhanced the fatigue strength of rib-to-deck joints. Finite-element modeling was conducted and validated by experimental data and sensitivity analyses. The validated finite-element model was then used to investigate the mechanism for the enhancement of fatigue strengths caused by use of TEUs and to evaluate the effects of weld penetration and open angle of rib-to-deck joints. Findings show that use of TEUs significantly improved the robustness of welded joints in terms of sensitivity to variations in the weld penetration. Appropriate increases in the open angle of rib-to-deck joints in OSDs with TEUs further improved fatigue performances. Finally, two full-scale orthotropic steel deck specimens were tested to further validate the effectiveness of TEUs.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Zhejiang Department of Transportation in China (Grant 10115066).
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 22 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 14, 2016
Accepted: Apr 18, 2017
Published online: Jul 11, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Dec 11, 2017
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Connections (structural)
- Decks
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Fatigue (material)
- Finite element method
- Joints
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Orthotropic materials
- Research methods (by type)
- Sensitivity analysis
- Steel decks
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Validation
- Welded connections
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