Fatigue Performance of Bolted Joint for U-ribs in Composite Bridge Deck

Abstract:

In order to study the mechanical properties of bolted joint for U-ribs in the composite bridge deck, a full-scale composite deck specimen with wide U-ribs was designed. The mechanical properties of this bolted joint were tested by fatigue loading test, and the stress of joint was analyzed by finite element model. The test results show that the crack is initiated from the vicinity of the bolt hole of based plate and propagated to the hand-hole. And the finite element analysis indicates the stress concentration located at 1/3 hole diameter from the hole edge near the head row bolt hole of the based plate is obvious, and the concentration coefficient is about 2.5; the configuration of hand-holes and the dimensions of splice plates or bolt holes have little influence on the stress concentration of the bolt hole of the based plate. Compared with the 8 mm thick U-ribbed composite plate or the conventional steel bridge deck, the stress of the bolt hole of the joint mother plate of the proposed composite plate is much larger, but its fatigue strength also meets the requirements of the code.