Monitoring and analysis of fatigue effects oN steel deck of a suspension bridge IN WORKING conditions

One integrated fatigue analytical model consisting of asphalt pavement layer and orthotropic steel bridge deck was established based on long-term fatigue effect monitoring results of Runyang Suspension Bridge in seven months. The correlations between fatigue effects of two pivotal welded joints and traffic flow as well as ambient temperature were then investigated respectively. The investigation results show that the number of stress cycles is merely in linear correlation with traffic flow, and is irrelevant with ambient temperature. In addition, the calculated number of stress cycles according to the fatigue computation model recommended by design code is lower than that by monitoring results. The equivalent stress amplitude of deck-rib is coincident with monitoring results while the equivalent stress amplitude of rib-rib welded joint is relatively conservative. The above results are beneficial and referential for further improvement and completion of design code.