Updating Fatigue Damage Coefficient in Railway Bridge Design Code in China

Abstract

Railway traffic volumes in China have increased dramatically with the fast development of the Chinese economy in the past 20 years. The load frequency spectra of bridges have also changed as a result. Therefore, it is necessary to update the fatigue damage coefficient used in the railway bridge design code accordingly. This paper discusses the updating work that involved a series of analyses and calculations based on the information obtained from a nationwide investigation of various railway lines. The newly updated fatigue damage coefficient has been recommended for the Chinese railway bridge design code.