ISEC 10


RETROFITTING METHODS AGAINST FATIGUE CRACKING IN STEEL GIRDER WEB PENETRATION

CHIHIRO SAKAMOTO, MASAHIRO SAKANO, HIDEYUKI KONISHI, TAKASHI FUJII


Abstract

Fatigue cracking in steel girder web penetration details is so dangerous that it can break steel girders. Since a number of highway bridges have such web penetration details in Japan, it is of urgent importance to grasp these fatigue strength properties and develop effective retrofitting methods. In a previous report, we investigated the stress distributions around web penetration details, and fatigue cracking behavior, using steel girder specimens with web penetration details. In this study, we investigate effects of retrofitting methods against fatigue cracking in web penetration details through fatigue tests using large girder specimens with web penetration details in which cross beam lower flanges are connected to lower surface of a slot by welding. Principal results obtained through this study are as follows: (1) Weld toe grinding can extend fatigue life more than 5 times, (2) Two-face attachment can extend fatigue life more than 10 times, and (3) Two-face attachment with weld toe grinding can extend fatigue life more than 25 times.

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