PROBABILISTIC FRACTURE MECHANICS APPLICATION TO HIGHWAY BRIDGES

Abstract A probabilistic fracture mechanics model was developed for determining the risk of fatigue failure of steel highway bridges. A deterministic fracture mechanics calculation of crack growth with stochastic inputs for crack growth rate, fracture toughness, initial crack size and load history was used. Stress intensity expressions were compiled from literature for typical AASHTO category bridge details. Statistical distributions for input variables were derived from data reported in literature. The model was found to predict well the short service life of the Yellow Mill Pond Bridge in Connecticut.