Distortion-induced fatigue performance and reinforcement techniques of steel girder bridges

Researchers:

• Yuzhu Wang
• Wouter De Corte (supervisor)
• Chunsheng Wang (supervisor)

Description:

This research aims to carry out multi-scale numerical fracture mechanics simulation and theoretical analysis on the distortion-induced fatigue details at web gaps in steel bridges, using advanced, efficient and low-cost refined numerical simulation technology. Multi-scale numerical fracture mechanical models will be established for static fatigue stress analysis of the straight, skewed and curved three-span continuous steel plate girder bridges, subjected to moving fatigue loads. The out-of-plane distortion and stress responses of the web gap fatigue details are going to be analyzed under the action of the fatigue vehicle loads. Besides, the effect of different structural parameters on out-of-plane deformation fatigue behavior will be analyzed. Numerical simulation of distortion-induced fatigue crack propagation at the web gaps of the straight, skewed and curved three-span continuous steel plate girder bridges will be carried out, under the coupling effects of cyclic fatigue loads, residual stress, initial crack defects and other multi-factor. Multi-scale numerical fracture mechanical models will be established for a three-span continuous steel plate girder bridge after reinforcement. And the reinforcement effectiveness of various cold connection forms on fatigue cracks with different lengths are to be analyzed. The finite element simulation of the distortion-induced fatigue crack propagation at the web gaps under the coupled action of cyclic fatigue load, residual stress, initial crack defects and other factors will be carried out, providing a new technical choice for the fatigue maintenance of the web gaps in steel bridges. In addition, two research papers will be finished based on numerical simulations that will be done in Ghent.

Funding:

CSC number: 202006560069