Static and fatigue test research on welded rib-to-deck connections in steel orthotropic bridge deck

In order to investigate the static and fatigue behaviors of the welded rib-to-deck connections in steel orthotropic bridge deck,14 rib-to-deck connection specimens were designed considering the weld types,butt gap,welding method and loading position as parameters.The static test and fatigue test were carried out to obtain the fatigue cycle number of each specimen under different stress range.Based on the statistical regression analysis,the S-N curves and fatigue classification of the rib-to-deck connections welded with fillet weld and partial penetration weld were obtained respectively.The test results show that the initial fatigue crack of the fillet weld is easily appeared at the weld root of the rib,while the initial fatigue crack of the penetration weld is easily appeared at the weld root of the deck.