Research Article
Sep 1971
Fracture Analysis of King's Bridge, Melbourne
Authors: Ronald B. Madison, M.ASCE, and George R. IrwinAuthor Affiliations
Publication: Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 97, Issue 9
Abstract
The fracture of the King's Bridge at Melbourne (1963) is of special interest because the responsible prior cracks were carefully photographed and the failure load can be estimated. With the aid of fracture mechanics and structural analysis, the critical crack size and failure load are compared with fracture toughness data for a steel regarded as comparable in toughness to that used in the Melbourne bridge. The results imply that rapid crack propagation developed when the tensile force on the crack was increased to a value intermediate between the crack propagation resistances expected for rapid (impact) and for slow loading. Structural redundancy of the Melbourne bridge allowed the bridge to provide continued service for 12 months after one of the four supporting girders suffered a major fracture. It is suggested that analysis of expected crack sizes and fracture toughness can be used to estimate the degree of fracture fail-safe behavior potentially present in steel bridges.
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Information
Published In
Journal of the Structural Division
Volume 97 • Issue 9 • September 1971
Pages: 2229 - 2244
Copyright
© 1971 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: Sep 1971
Published online: Feb 1, 2021
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Authors
Affiliations
Ronald B. Madison, M.ASCE
Chicago Sales Office, Bethelehm Steel Corp., Chicago, Ill.; formerly, Research Instr., Fritz Engrg. Lab., Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, Pa.
George R. Irwin
Prof. of Mechanics, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, Pa.
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.