Hydroelasticity based fatigue assessment of the connector for a ribbon bridge subjected to a moving load

In this paper, the prediction of the hydroelastic response of the floating bridge and the fatigue behavior of the connectors is presented. And based on the hydroelastic response analysis of the ribbon bridge, the dynamic alternating load of the connector can be obtained, in that the fatigue behavior analysis of the connector simulated by the solid elements can be conducted by employing the local stress–strain approach. It is revealed that the sequence of the dynamic loads acting on the connectors, the value of various fatigue parameters and the ultimate tensile strength should be sufficiently considered, especially the passing speed of a moving load, so that it can significantly reduce the fatigue damage of the connectors.