Fatigue Strength of Weathered Rolled Beam Made of A588 Steel

Abstract

This study investigates the fatigue behavior of corroded rolled beams made of A588 steel. The beams were weathered under two conditions: One set was boldly exposed to the environment; the other was exposed under a metal deck that simulated the shelter provided by highway bridge decks and lightly sprayed with a salt solution during the winter months. Bold exposure for 62 months and stress cycling in a moist freshwater environment decreased the fatigue strength from category A to B. Sheltered exposure for 67 months and stress cycling in a moist saltwater environment decreased the fatigue strength from category A to E. The one‐category reduction in fatigue strength, from A to B, adopted in the latest specifications from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials may be adequate for ideally and boldly exposed weathering‐steel base metal, but it does not represent the loss in fatigue strength that can be expected of weathering‐steel base metal exposed to the variety of conditions typically found in service.