DOI

10.5703/1288284316997

Abstract

Full-scale fracture tests were completed determining that mechanically-fastened steel built-up axially-loaded tension members are resistant to running fracture when a single component suddenly fractures. This characteristic of built-up member is referred to as Cross-Boundary Fracture Resistance (CBFR). A comprehensive finite element model-based parametric study was also performed investigating the post-fracture load redistribution behavior of multi-component built-up members. Simplified closed-form solutions were developed for engineering analysis of built-up members to evaluate for internal member redundancy and estimate safe inspection intervals that are based on the fatigue life of the member in the assumed faulted condition.

Keywords

steel bridge, built-up member, internal redundancy, member-level redundancy, fatigue, fracture, IRM

Date of this Version

2018

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