Slip-Resistant Pretensioned Connections in Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Bridge Constructions under Fatigue Loading

Abstract

Hot-dip galvanized steel structures are well-established and state of the art for public and industrial buildings. They can achieve a corrosion protection period in the magnitude of the lifetime of the structures (≥100 years). The application of this corrosion protection system would also have great potential in bridge construction. Economic efficiency and sustainability in bridge construction are, in addition to the cost of new building, determined by the incurred maintenance costs. A prior research project had demonstrated hardly any losses on the fatigue strength compared with the nongalvanized steel components. Large bridge structures must be designed with assembly joints. Welded field joints of hot-dip galvanized components require a complex pretreatment and posttreatment of the corrosion protection. Nevertheless, onsite applied corrosion protection cannot reach the protection durability of a hot-dip galvanizing. This technological restriction can be avoided by the use of hot-dip galvanized bolted connections. Slip-resistant pretensioned connections with pretensioned bolts have been proven successful in steel bridge construction. Major scientific investigations are not yet available for the use of slip-resistant connections for hot-dip galvanized joints. Technical and scientific foundations for the application of hot-dip galvanized bolted connections in cyclically loaded steel and composite bridge constructions, based on the European standard for steel constructions are investigated within the scope of this research project. Construction and design recommendations are provided.