FATIGUE ASSESSMENT OF COMPLEX STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF STEEL BRIDGES INTEGRATING FINITE ELEMENT MODELS AND FIELD-COLLECTED DATA

Fatigue damage in welded structural steel components has a complex presentation, which is influenced by the geometric configuration of the component and load path in a structural system. The classic fatigue assessment methods, using nominal stresses and S-N curves, may not capture nor predict the complicated performance of the component with respect to fatigue. Recent novel complex steel structural connections that experience multi-axial behavior or do not fit any conventional fatigue categories are not explicitly addressed in the existing fatigue design codes. An ideal fatigue estimation for the complex structural components is dependent on a thorough understanding of structural performance of the component within the global structural system and application of an appropriate fatigue assessment method. This dissertation presents a fatigue assessment protocol for complex structural components of steel bridges, using numerical methods and field-collected structural response data. Multiple fatigue assessment methods are implemented, including the nominal stress method, hotspot stress method, and linear elastic fracture mechanics method to estimate fatigue performance of a complex welded structural component. Accordingly, for each method, a set of computationally efficient finite element models of a large-scale bridge are created. Each model corresponds to the requirements of a specific fatigue assessment method and provides the required stress responses, under simulated dynamic traffic loads. A major contribution of this research is the development of a novel a multi-scale modeling method to accommodate multiple dimensions of elements and multiple axes loading configurations. The multi-scale models are created for a case study, the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH, which is a vertical lift steel truss bridge and includes a novel gusset-less connection. The gusset-less connection includes a complex web geometry and curved fillet welds connecting the web to the flange. The bridge is also equipped with a long-term structural health monitoring program, with arrays of installed sensors. Field data are collected from the sensors to report the health status of the bridge. Additionally, field-collected data are utilized to validate the finite element models created for this study. Due to the limited sensor location available, finite element models are used to predict structural responses that will supplement the field-collected data to appropriately provide stress- concentrated responses at the welded components of the bridge. The multi-scale model results illustrate that the geometric shape of the weld impacts the variability of the generated hotspot stresses along the weld toe. The changes in the stress state and estimated fatigue life are investigated during the crack propagation procedure, using a multi-scale model with a simulated crack

Aging concrete structures: a review of mechanics and concepts

The safe and cost-efficient management of our built infrastructure is a challenging task considering the expected service life of at least 50 years. In spite of time-dependent changes in material properties, deterioration processes and changing demand by society, the structures need to satisfy many technical requirements related to serviceability, durability, sustainability and bearing capacity. This review paper summarizes the challenges associated with the safe design and maintenance of aging concrete structures and gives an overview of some concepts and approaches that are being developed to address these challenges

Intelligent Feature Extraction, Data Fusion and Detection of Concrete Bridge Cracks: Current Development and Challenges

As a common appearance defect of concrete bridges, cracks are important indices for bridge structure health assessment. Although there has been much research on crack identification, research on the evolution mechanism of bridge cracks is still far from practical applications. In this paper, the state-of-the-art research on intelligent theories and methodologies for intelligent feature extraction, data fusion and crack detection based on data-driven approaches is comprehensively reviewed. The research is discussed from three aspects: the feature extraction level of the multimodal parameters of bridge cracks, the description level and the diagnosis level of the bridge crack damage states. We focus on previous research concerning the quantitative characterization problems of multimodal parameters of bridge cracks and their implementation in crack identification, while highlighting some of their major drawbacks. In addition, the current challenges and potential future research directions are discussed.Comment: Published at Intelligence & Robotics; Its copyright belongs to author

Research on Bridge Structural Health Assessment Based on Finite Element Analysis

In view of the content of bridge condition assessment and health monitoring, this paper is based on the finite element simulation analysis. The uncertain finite element model updating method based on sequential optimization strategy is studied, and the uncertain modal parameter data obtained by health monitoring system are applied to upgrade the uncertain finite element model of cable-stayed bridges, which provides a more accurate finite element model for subsequent reliability analysis. Firstly, the finite element dynamic analysis of the main span structure of the bridge is carried out, and the natural frequencies and modes are obtained. Then the measured natural frequencies of the structure are obtained by estimating the power spectrum of the dynamic monitoring data, and the theoretical values are compared with the measured ones. The dynamic characteristics of the modified two-stayed bridge finite element model are verified by the load test results. The results show that the modified finite element model can simulate the dynamic characteristics of the actual structure well. Most of the measured and calculated displacement increments were within the margin of error. The error is within 5%, which can accurately reflect the true stress state of the structure. The uncertainty model based on the sequential optimization strategy is simple and can be applied to the uncertainty of the finite element model of the actual bridge structure

Self-Evaluation Applied Mathematics 2003-2008 University of Twente

This report contains the self-study for the research assessment of the Department of Applied Mathematics (AM) of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) at the University of Twente (UT). The report provides the information for the Research Assessment Committee for Applied Mathematics, dealing with mathematical sciences at the three universities of technology in the Netherlands. It describes the state of affairs pertaining to the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2008

Software for evaluating probability-based integrity of reinforced concrete structures

In recent years, much research work has been carried out in order to obtain a more controlled durability and long-term performance of concrete structures in chloride containing environment. In particular, the development of new procedures for probability-based durability design has proved to give a more realistic basis for the analysis. Although there is still a lack of relevant data, this approach has been successfully applied to several new concrete structures, where requirements to a more controlled durability and service life have been specified. A probability-based durability analysis has also become an important and integral part of condition assessment of existing concrete structures in chloride containing environment. In order to facilitate the probability-based durability analysis, a software named DURACON has been developed, where the probabilistic approach is based on a Monte Carlo simulation. In the present paper, the software for the probability-based durability analysis is briefly described and used in order to demonstrate the importance of the various durability parameters affecting the durability of concrete structures in chloride containing environment

SOLID-SHELL FINITE ELEMENT MODELS FOR EXPLICIT SIMULATIONS OF CRACK PROPAGATION IN THIN STRUCTURES

Crack propagation in thin shell structures due to cutting is conveniently simulated using explicit finite element approaches, in view of the high nonlinearity of the problem. Solidshell elements are usually preferred for the discretization in the presence of complex material behavior and degradation phenomena such as delamination, since they allow for a correct representation of the thickness geometry. However, in solid-shell elements the small thickness leads to a very high maximum eigenfrequency, which imply very small stable time-steps. A new selective mass scaling technique is proposed to increase the time-step size without affecting accuracy. New ”directional” cohesive interface elements are used in conjunction with selective mass scaling to account for the interaction with a sharp blade in cutting processes of thin ductile shells

Implementing bridge model updating for operation and maintenance purposes: examination based on UK practitioners’ views

There has been a vision of creating bridge digital twins as virtual simulation models of bridge assets to facilitate remote management. Bridge model updating is one digital twin technology which can enable the continuous updating of the structural model as new monitoring data is collected. This paper examines why there is currently little industry uptake of monitoring, modelling and model updating for the operation and maintenance of bridges despite over two decades of research in these fields. The study analyses the findings from a series of semi-structured industry interviews with expert bridge professionals in the U.K. and from an extensive literature survey of bridge model updating studies to examine the disconnects between research and practice and the practical issues of implementing bridge model updating. In particular, the study found that localised damage resulting in local reduction in structural stiffness, a key assumption made in the majority of research, is subject to question by practitioners as many common types of bridge damage may not induce noticeable change in structural stiffness that existing model updating techniques would identify. Key recommendations for future research are proposed to drive adoption of bridge monitoring, modelling and model updating and thus realise their industrial value