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Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 70, Number 3, May10 2019 , pages 311-324
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2019.70.3.311
 


Coupling effects between wind and train transit induced fatigue damage in suspension bridges
Francesco Petrini, Pierluigi Olmati and Franco Bontempi

 
Abstract
    Long-span steel suspension bridges develop significant vibrations under the effect of external time-variable loadings because their slenderness. This causes significant stresses variations that could induce fatigue problems in critical components of the bridge. The research outcome presented in this paper includes a fatigue analysis of a long suspension bridge with 3300 meters central suspended span under wind action and train transit. Special focus is made on the counterintuitive interaction effects between train and wind loads in terms of fatigue damage accumulation in the hanger ropes. In fact the coupling of the two actions is shown to have positive effects for some hangers in terms of damage accumulation. Fatigue damage is evaluated using a linear accumulation model (Palmgren-Miner rule), analyses are carried out in time domain by a three-dimensional non-linear finite element model of the bridge. Rational explanation regarding the above-mentioned counterintuitive behavior is given on the basis of the stress time histories obtained for pertinent hangers under the effects of wind and train as acting separately or simultaneously. The interaction between wind and train traffic loads can be critical for a some hanger ropes therefore interaction phenomena within loads should be considered in the design.
 
Key Words
    suspension bridges; fatigue analysis; wind-train interaction; damage accumulation; non-linearity
 
Address
Francesco Petrini and Franco Bontempi: Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy

Pierluigi Olmati: Taisei Corporation, Shinjuku Center Building, Nishi Shinjuku 1-25-1, Tokyo, Japan
 

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