Fatigue life of short-span reinforced concrete railway bridges

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Pimentel, M (Author) FEUP; Bruhwiler, E (Author) Other; Figueiras, J (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Structural Concrete

Vol. 9

Pages: 215-222

ISSN: 1464-4177

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge

Scopus - 11 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-P9G

DOI: 10.1680/stco.2008.9.4.215

Abstract (EN): In this paper a parametric study on the fatigue life of short-span reinforced concrete railway bridges is presented. Only reinforcement steel fatigue damage is considered. The objective of this work is to assess the factors that may have a decisive influence on reinforcement fatigue life, to evaluate the consequences of the increasing traffic loads and to identify the research needs so as to allow more accurate fatigue examinations of existing bridges under more demanding traffic conditions. It is concluded that reinforcement fatigue life is mainly governed by the existence of heavy traffic (freight trains) and that it is highly sensitive both to the axle loads increase and to the accuracy in the reinforcement stress range calculation. It is also shown that the current analysis procedures may suffice for economic design of new bridges, whereas in the case of existing bridges more elaborate analysis procedures may be necessary to prove fatigue safety. © 2008 Thomas Telford and fib.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific