Fatigue and Fracture Research Group
 

Extending Useable Lives of Steel Bridges by Halting Distortion-Induced Fatigue Crack Propagation Using Pretensioned Bolts and Washers

Repairing Existing Fatigue Cracks in Steel Bridges Using CFRP Materials

Funded by the Kansas DOT KTRANS program and Transportation Pooled Fund Study TPF-5(189)


Drs. Bennett, Matamoros, Rolfe, and Barrett-Gonzalez are working on a project to investigate the effectiveness of different treatments on the fatigue performance of bridge details under distortion-induced fatigue loading.

The project includes physical tests of 9-ft bridge girders under distortion-induced fatigue loading, and a corresponding finite element analysis investigation. Retrofits being examined include the use of innovative steel retrofit techniques and carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials.  

More information concerning this study, including quarterly progress reports, can be found on the Transportation Pooled Fund  website.