A Fundamental Study on Detection of Defects in the Web Gap Region of Steel Plate Girder Bridges by the Plate Wave Ultrasonic Technique

Applicability of the plate wave technique was investigated in this study to detect small defects in the web gap region of the steel plate girder. Torsion induced fatigue cracking is one of the most serious problems for steel bridges. As the conventional inspection method, visual inspection has been applied. However, this method is not always accurate. In addition, accessibility of the inspectors is also a serious problem. This study aims at the application of the plate wave ultrasonic testing to detect a fatigue crack in the web gap area and monitor its propagation. As the first step, the influence of a stiffener and detectability of one or more holes in the web gap were investigated.