Investigation of Bridge Expansion Joint Failure Using Field Strain Measurement
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 25, Issue 4
Abstract
This study was initiated after the sliding plate expansion joints of Millard E. Tydings Memorial Bridge, a long-span truss bridge, failed prematurely just a few months after their initial installation. The study included field investigation, material testing, analysis, and field testing. Test data records show numerous high spikes, which represent high tensile stresses, within their respective measured periods. By extrapolation, the failure was predicted by applying Miner’s linear cumulative damage rule. The calculation shows that the accumulative value would reach 1.0 when the first and subsequent failures were reported. The unexpected high stresses and poor workmanship caused early crack formation attributable to distress.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
AASHTO. (1990). Guide specifications for fatigue evaluation of existing steel bridges, Washington, DC.
AASHTO. (2005). LRFD bridge design specifications, 4th Ed., Washington, DC.
American Welding Society (AWS). (2002). D1.5 bridge welding code, Washington, DC.
Fisher, J. W., Mertz, D. R., and Zhong, A. (1983). “Steel bridge member under variable amplitude long life fatigue loading.” Rep. 267, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Washington, DC, 22.
Florida Department of Transport (FLDOT). (2002). “Structural design guidelines for load and resistance factor.” Tallahassee, FL, 〈http://www.dot.state.fl.us/structures/Manuals/LRFDSDGAug2002.pdf〉.
Gurney, T. R. (1979). Fatigue of welded structures, 2nd Ed., Cambridge University Press, London.
Hahin, C., and South, J. M. (1992). “Accurate and rapid determination of fatigue damage in bridge superstructures.” Physical Research Rep. No. 106, Illinois Department of Transportation, Springfield, IL.
Johnson, G. (2005). “Bridge deck joint systems performance and maintenance.” Maintenance fall conference, International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, Tampa, FL.
Malla, R. B., and Shaw, M. (2003). Report for sealing of small movement bridge expansion joints, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA). (2004). Construction manual, Baltimore.
O’Connell, H. M., and Dexter, R. J. (2001). “Response and analysis of steel trusses for fatigue truck loading.” J. Bridge Eng., 6(6), 628–638.
Purvis, R. (2003). “Bridge deck joint performance: A synthesis of highway practice.” NCHRP Synthesis 319, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.
Shilling, C. G., Klippstein, K. H., Barsom, J. M., and Blake, G. T. (1978). “Fatigue of welded steel bridge member under variable-amplitude loading.” Rep. 188, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Washington, DC, 113.
Zhou, Y. E. (2006). “Assessment of bridge remaining fatigue life through field strain measurement.” J. Bridge Eng., 11(6), 737–744.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 25 • Issue 4 • August 2011
Pages: 309 - 316
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 25, 2009
Accepted: Aug 27, 2010
Published online: Sep 23, 2010
Published in print: Aug 1, 2011
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.