Papers by Keyword: Welded Members

Abstract: The finite element analysis fully coupled fatigue damage evolution is implemented on the user subroutine UMAT of the finite element software ABAQUS. The fully coupled method developed with damage mechanics and the finite element analysis is performed on calculation of fatigue damage accumulation of the critical welded member in the Tsing Ma Bridge. The calculated result shows that the fatigue damage in the critical welded member is accumulated in the region of toe of welding. The value of faitgue life calculated by the fully coupled method is smaller than that by the uncoupled method, which suggests that there exists interaction between the fatigue damage evolution and the structural response. The linear Miner’s Law is widely used however conservative for the evaluation of fatigue life of bridge on service. The above results provide feasible method for accurate evaluation of fatigue damage in bridge components based on the hot spot stress analysis and the damage mechanics theory.