Evaluating the Threshold for Corrosion-to-Fatigue Crack Transition Using a Corroded Steel Plate from an In-Service Bridge
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 6
Abstract
The linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM)–based approach has been widely applied to investigate the threshold for corrosion-to-fatigue crack transition in the corrosion fatigue process. However, investigations to determine the transition threshold of generally corroded steel are still insufficient. In the present study, the threshold for the corrosion-to-fatigue crack transition was investigated via fatigue testing of naturally corroded steel plates. The specimens were procured from the corroded U-ribs obtained from a cable-stayed bridge that has been in operation for more than 30 years. Profiles of the corroded surface were obtained via three-dimensional scanning. Stress intensity factor ranges and stress concentration factors were examined as potential indicators of a threshold for corrosion-to-fatigue crack transition. These factors, however, proved to be inappropriate. Modified stress intensity factor range was proposed to consider the shape-dependent effect of stress concentration from corrosion damage, and a consistent threshold of corrosion-to-fatigue crack transition was identified. These results are a novel finding whereby the corrosion-to-fatigue crack transition could occur when the modified stress intensity factor range exceeds .
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by a grant (21SCIP-B128568-05) from Smart Civil Infrastructure Research Program funded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation of the Korean government through the Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering at Seoul National University. This research was also supported by the BK21 PLUS research program of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 148 • Issue 6 • June 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 15, 2021
Accepted: Jan 28, 2022
Published online: Apr 5, 2022
Published in print: Jun 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Sep 5, 2022
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