Determination of fatigue curves of the bridges with member decks

Abstract

Fatigue curve determination of structural detail is difficult from computer, experimental and financial point of view. With regard to geometry dimensions of bridge structure is mostly necessary take into account simplifications, which may not influence quality of results.Important aspect of fatigue curve determination is referential place of structural detail in which is possible presume fatigue crack growing. The fatigue curve shall be determined for this specific place. In many cases is not possible to measure stresses exactly in mentioned place. The way of exact determination could be to measure close to given detail and by use of FEM model to recalculate stress values into critical place afterwards. These conditions were met in given example of experimental fatigue curve determination. As a result we obtained fatigue characteristics, which were different to standards.