Full-Scale Fatigue Tests of Steel Orthotropic Decks for the Williamsburg Bridge

Abstract

Final design of the replacement orthotropic deck panels for the rehabilitation of the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City was based on laboratory fatigue tests of a full-scale prototype and an as-built orthotropic deck panel carried out at Lehigh University in the latter 1990s. The tests focused on determining and comparing the fatigue resistance of two different welded rib-to-diaphragm connection details that were recommended in the 1994 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and an alternative proposed by Steinman. The test on the prototype panel demonstrated that the fatigue resistance of the alternative detail was superior and influenced additional design changes that were incorporated into the replacement panels installed on the southern inner and outer roadways. Subsequent tests on the as-built panel further confirmed that the fatigue resistance of the alternative detail was superior and demonstrated that the additional design changes were also beneficial. Static and dynamic tests revealed the complex behavior of the orthotropic deck panels and demonstrated the effectiveness of retrofit and repair options at cracked connections. An assessment of fatigue resistance based on fracture mechanics models provided theoretical correlation. This research has led to the revision of design specifications for steel orthotropic decks first provided in the 2000 Interim AASHTO LRFD Specifications.