Fatigue assessment of full-scale welded crane runway girders*

Abstract This publication is focused on a critical plane approach to assess the influence of the multiaxial stress state on the lifetime of welded crane runway girders cyclically stressed by travelling wheel loads. Cyclic stress-strain curves of specimens both from the weld region and the base material of the girder are evaluated in strain-controlled reversible fatigue tests as a basis for the assessment of the lifetime. Finite element analyses are performed to estimate the multiaxial and non-proportional local stress condition acting on sharp notches of the girder, i. e. the weld toes and the weld root. The MPA AIM-life concept is used to evaluate the lifetime of crane runways on the basis of advanced fatigue parameters and the cyclic material properties. Furthermore, the notch stress approach according to IIW guideline [1] is applied to investigate the fatigue behavior. The estimated lifetimes are compared to experimental results of component fatigue tests conducted with full-scale welded crane runway girders.