Master S-N Curve-Based Fatigue Life Assessment of Steel Bridges Using Finite Element Model and Field Monitoring Data

The accuracy of fatigue life assessment for the welded joint in a steel bridge is largely dependent on an appropriate [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve. In this paper, a master [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve-based fatigue life assessment approach for the welded joint with an open-rib in orthotropic steel bridge deck is proposed based on the finite element model (FEM) and field monitoring data from structural health monitoring (SHM) system. The case studies on fatigue life assessment by use of finite element analysis (FEA) for constant-amplitude cyclic loading mode and field monitoring data under variable-amplitude cyclic loading mode are addressed. In the case of FEA, the distribution of structural stress at fatigue-prone weld toe is achieved using 4-node shell element model and then transformed into equivalent structural stress by fracture mechanics theory. The fatigue life of the welded joint is estimated with a single master [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve in the form of equivalent structural stress range versus the cycles to failure. In the case of monitoring data-based fatigue life assessment, the daily history of structural stress at diaphragm to U-rib is derived from the raw strain data measured by the instrumented fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors and transformed into equivalent structural stress. The fatigue life of the investigated welded joint is calculated by cyclic counting method and Palmgren–Miner linear damage cumulative rule. The master [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve method provides an effective fatigue life assessment process, especially when the nominal stress is hard to be defined. A single master [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve will facilitate to solve the difficulty in choosing a proper [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] curve which is required in the traditional fatigue life assessment methods.