Fatigue Performance of Stringer-to-Floor-Beam Connections in Riveted Railway Bridges

Abstract

The behavior of double-angle stringer-to-floor-beam connections in riveted railway bridges is examined experimentally. A series of static and fatigue tests were performed on three full-scale bridge parts taken from an old riveted railway bridge. The results of the static tests reveal that the amount of end moment developed in these connections as a result of their rotational stiffness could be considerable. As a result of the cyclic variation in this moment, fatigue damage might develop in these connections. This damage was, however, observed to have a fairly low propagation rate and did not immediately reduce the load-carrying function of the connections.