Rewelding Repair Effects on Fatigue Cracks in Steel Bridge Deck Welds
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31, Issue 6
Abstract
Specimens of rib-to-deck welds and diaphragm-to-rib welds in steel bridge decks were tested to crack under cyclic load. The cracks were repaired by rewelding. After the rewelding, other treatments were considered, including polishing, heat treatment, and strengthening with carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP). Fatigue tests were again conducted on the repaired specimens. The microstructure of the rewelded areas was observed using a metallurgical microscope. The position and propagation of the new cracks were discussed to evaluate the efficacy of the repairs. The results indicated that new cracks occurred in the rewelded zone. After the initial cracking of roof-to-rib welds, crack propagation remained at a similar speed. Polishing, heat treatment, and CFRP strengthening can improve the fatigue life after a rewelding repair; the best rewelding timing is suggested to be the intermediate stage of crack propagation. The fatigue life after rewelding is determined by the new weld.
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Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the support of the National Natural Science Fund of China (No. 51678216 and No. 51678215) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2015B17414).
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 31 • Issue 6 • December 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 17, 2017
Accepted: Apr 18, 2017
Published online: Jul 31, 2017
Published in print: Dec 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Dec 31, 2017
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