Fatigue crack growth behavior of rib-to-deck double-sided welded joints of orthotropic steel decks

Abstract

Innovative double-sided welding is expected to improve the fatigue resistance of rib-to-deck welded joints of orthotropic steel decks (OSDs). Welding crack-like defects are the crucial issue affecting the fatigue performance of rib-to-deck double-sided welded joints. This study presents a numerical simulation of three-dimensional (3D) mixed mode fatigue crack growth behavior of rib-to-deck double-sided welded joints of OSDs. Maximum tensile stress theory and equivalent stress intensity factor (SIF) were used to simulate mixed mode fatigue cracks growth. The Paris law model was employed to predict the fatigue life. Fatigue cracks of rib-to-deck double-sided welded joints were characterized by the presence of mixed mode cracks of modes I (open), mode II (shear), and mode III (tear), which was dominated by mode I. The equivalent SIF was found to be complex at the growth stage with the maximum value at the two ends of the crack front and the minimum value at the midpoint of the crack front. The crack shape became flatter in the later phase of the crack growth. The fatigue crack surface underwent deflections during crack growth, making the final crack shape exhibiting the characteristic of a spatial curved surface. The initial crack geometry showed a significant impact on the fatigue life.

Machine Learning-Assisted probabilistic fatigue evaluation of Rib-to-Deck joints in orthotropic steel decks

“…It is very interesting to note that the measured fatigue crack shape and its variation during the growth are highly comparable with the numerical prediction in [15]. Apart from the listed measurement, additional fatigue crack growth data can also be found in the previous experiment [24], in which four specimens were fabricated with the same configuration and tested under a similar boundary condition.…”

“…Malschaert [14] validated the application of finite element (FE)-based FM simulation in fatigue prediction of welded joints in steel bridges. Liu et al [15] hired the FE-based stress analysis and FM simulation to investigate fatigue crack growth in RD joints. According to the result, the crack remains semi-elliptical, whereas the aspect ratio of crack depth to length decreases with the increase in crack sizes.…”

Numerical Simulation of Fatigue Cracking of Diaphragm Notch in Orthotropic Steel Deck Model

“…Based on local strain monitoring, Di Jin et al [ 5 ] evaluated the fatigue performance of typical details. Liu Yang et al [ 6 ] carried out numerical simulation on the three-dimensional mixed-mode fatigue-crack-growth behavior of an orthotropic steel-rib deck double-sided welded joint and found that the fatigue crack surface deflected during the crack-growth process, resulting in the crack finally presenting the characteristics of a space surface. The structure of orthotropic steel bridge panels is complex, with many plates and many fatigue-influencing factors.…”

Residual stresses effects on fatigue crack growth behavior of rib-to-deck double-sided welded joints in orthotropic steel decks

“…Yang et al (2022) conducted experimental and numerical investigations of the fatigue resistance properties of RTD single-sided and double-sided welded joints using the traction structural stress method. Zhang et al (2019a) and Liu et al (2021) explored the fatigue crack growth behavior of the RTD double-sided welded joints of OSD using the finite element method (FEM) and linear elastic fracture mechanics, and found that the fatigue crack growth was a mixed mode dominated by opening-mode (type I). Furthermore, Fang et al (2020) evaluated the notch stress at the weld details of RTD double-sided welded joints by FEM, and discussed the factors that influence the fatigue failure mode of these joints.…”