An analysis of pre-fatigued TIG-treated welded structures
Journal article, 2021

Many existing steel bridges are approaching, or they have already exceeded their design fatigue life. Assessing and repairing these structures presents a challenge for the construction industry. In this paper, previous studies, which emphasised treating existing (pre-fatigued) structures by TIG dressing, are reviewed and analysed. In total, 109 fatigue test results have been studied which employ various steel qualities, welded details (longitudinal, transverse, and cover plate) and plate thicknesses. A plot and investigation of the S-N curves were carried out. In addition, a sensitivity analysis of the treated crack depth and the TIG dressing penetration depth was used to establish the extended fatigue life. The performance of TIG dressing in treating existing structures was examined by simulating a gain factor. It was found that the extension in fatigue life reached 3.4 times the as-welded fatigue life. This was particularly in cases in which TIG dressing completely removed the initial cracks or missed cracks less than 1 mm deep. Based on the findings, recommendations on treating existing welded steel structures by TIG dressing have been made.

Extended fatigue life

TIG dressing

Pre-fatigued

Steel structures

Author

Asma Manai

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering

Engineering Failure Analysis

1350-6307 (ISSN)

Vol. 121 105150

Subject Categories

Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology

Other Materials Engineering

Metallurgy and Metallic Materials

DOI

10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.105150

More information

Latest update

1/14/2021