Temporal Nature of Fatigue Damage in Highway Bridges

Abstract

To develop a valid method of estimating fatigue life of a highway bridge, it is first necessary to have a reasonable understanding of the manner in which fatigue damage occurs over time. This paper presents the findings from an extensive highway bridge monitoring program focused on monitoring vehicle-induced strain cycles; the cause of fatigue damage. The purpose of the study was to identify the temporal character (if any) of fatigue damage accumulation. A sample of 24 bridges in the State of Ohio was monitored; each bridge in the sample for