Weld Bead Removal Retrofitting against Fatigue Cracking in Steel Girder Web Penetration

Fatigue cracking in steel girder web penetration details is so dangerous that it can break steel girders completely. In 2006, one-meter-long crack was detected in Yamazoe Bridge. Since a number of highway bridges have such web penetration details in Japan, it is of urgent importance to grasp these fatigue strength properties and develop effective retrofitting methods. In previous studies, we investigated fatigue cracking behavior through fatigue tests using small girder specimens with web penetration details and effects of large attachment retrofitting methods against fatigue cracking in web penetration details through fatigue tests using a large girder specimen with web penetration details in which cross beam lower flanges are connected to lower surface of a slot by welding. However these methods cannot prevent fatigue crack initiation perfectly. In this study, we investigate effects of weld bead removal and small angle steel attachment retrofitting method against fatigue cracking in web penetration details through fatigue tests using a large girder specimen. As a result, it has been verified that weld bead removal and small angle steel attachment method can prevent fatigue crack initiation perfectly in the web penetration details with a slot.