Abstract
Fatigue deterioration profiles of critical elements in a railway truss bridge are determined using a probabilistic approach. A performance function including fatigue strength, R, and fatigue action, D, is used, where R is a material property with lognormal distribution. The random variable D depends on AASHTO category, stress spectrum and traffic features. By applying Monte-Carlo simulations on the performance function of each year, reliability index profile is calculated. The reliability profile decreases with life, and whenever reaches to a critical value, an MR&R action should be implemented. A numerical approach is presented to specify the effects of MR&R actions on the deterioration profile. These actions include re-welding, attaching CFRP and combination of them. The structural model is calibrated by results of a loading test. In addition, the uncertainties arisen from future traffic volume and the relevant S-N curve are considered by a statistical analysis. For a target reliability of 2.0, the retrofit time for deck and truss are estimated. Finally, the outputs of the research are used to recommend a plan for maintenance of Neka Bridge.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
AASHTO (2007). AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications. 4 rd Ed. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C.
Alemdar, F., Matamoros, A., Bennett, C., Barrett-Gonzalez, R., and Rolfe, S. T. (2012). “Use of CFRP overlays to strengthen welded connections under fatigue loading.” Journal of Bridge Engineering, 16(3), 420–431.
Ataei, S., Aghakouchak, A. A., Marefat, M. S., and Mohammadzadeh, S. (2008). “Finite element model validation of railway bridge using neural networks.” Modares Technical And Engineering, 33, 83–94.
Ataei, S., Aghakouchak, A. A., Marefat, M. S., and Mohammadzadeh, S. (2005). “Sensor fusion of a railway bridge load test using neural networks.” Expert Systems with Applications, 29(3), 678–683.
Chryssanthopoulos, M. K. and Righiniotis, T. D. (2006). “Fatigue reliability of welded steel structures.” Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 62(11), 1199–1209.
Cross, B. T. (2007). Analysis of the AASHTO Fatigue Design Provisions for Welded Steel Bridge details Using Reliability Theory. MS Thesis, University of Delaware.
Eurocode (1990). Eurocode: Basis of structural design. the publisher, European Committee for Standardization, Brussels.
Frangopol, D. M. and Das, P. C. (1999). Management of bridge stocks based on future reliability and maintenance costs. Institution of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford, London.
Garbatov, Y. and Guedes Soares, C. (2004). “Influence of steel strength on the fatigue reliability of welded structural components.” International Journal of Fatigue, 26(7), pp. 753–762.
Imam, B. M., Righiniotis, T. D., and Chryssanthopoulos, M. K. (2008). “Probabilistic fatigue evaluation of riveted railway bridges.” Journal of Bridge Engineering, 13(3), pp. 237–244.
IRIRW (2010). Annual reports. Islamic Reoublic of Iran Railways Website (IRIRW) 〈http://www.rai.ir〉 retrieved December 26, 2010.
Kühn, B., Lukiæ, M., Nussbaumer, A., Günther, H.-P., Helmerich, R., Herion, S., Kolstein, M. H., Walbridge, S., Androic, B., Dijkstra, O., and Bucak, Ö. (2008). Assessment of existing steel structures: recommendations for estimation of remaining fatigue life. Joint JRC-ECCS report for further development of the Eurocodes.
Liu, M., Frangopol, D. M., and Kwon, K. (2010). “Fatigue reliability assessment of retrofitted steel bridges integrating monitored data.” Structural Safety, 32(1), pp. 77–89.
Mohammadzadeh, S. (2004). Load testing of the Neka bridge Technical report. Railway faculty of engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology, Tehran, Iran.
Neves, L. C., and Frangopol, D. M. (2005). “Condition, safety and cost profiles for deteriorating structures with emphasis on bridges.” Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 89(2), pp. 185–198.
Ni, Y. Q., Ye, X. W., and Ko, J. M. (2010). “Monitoringbased fatigue reliability assessment of steel bridges: analytical model and application.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 136(12), pp. 1563–1573.
Pipinato, A. and Modena, C. (2010). “Structural analysis and fatigue reliability assessment of the paderno bridge.” Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction, 15(2), pp. 109–124.
Sause, R., Abbas, H. H., Driver, R. G., Anami, K., and Fisher, J. W. (2006). “Fatigue life of girders with trapezoidal corrugated webs.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 132(7), pp. 1070–1078.
Tobias, D. H. and Foutch, D. A. (1997). “Reliability-based method for fatigue evaluation of railway bridges.” Journal of Bridge Engineering, 2(2), pp. 53–60.
Wenzel, H. (2009). Health monitoring of bridges. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, UK.
Wirsching, P. H. (1984). “Fatigue reliability for offshore structures.” Journal of Structural Engineering, 110(10), pp. 2340–2356.
Wirsching, P. H. and Chen, Y. N. (1988). “Considerations of probability-based fatigue design for marine structures.” Marine Structures, 1(1), pp. 23–45.
Zhao, Z. and Haldar, A. (1996). “Bridge fatigue damage evaluation and updating using non-destructive inspections.” Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 53(5), pp. 775–788.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Note.-Discussion open until November 1, 2013. This manuscript for this paper was submitted for review and possible publication on August 22, 2011; approved on February 26, 2013.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sahrapeyma, A., Hosseini, A. & Marefat, M.S. Life-cycle prediction of steel bridges using reliability-based fatigue deterioration profile: Case study of neka bridge. Int J Steel Struct 13, 229–242 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-013-2003-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13296-013-2003-8