Effective Notch Stress Approach-Based Fatigue Evaluation of Rib-to-Deck Welds Including Pavement Surfacing Effects

The effective notch stress-based fatigue evaluation approach considering the effect of pavement surfacing is developed and verified in this research. Firstly, the sensitivity of stresses at fatigable welds to pavement surfacing was investigated. It turns out that rib-to-deck weld is most sensitive to pavement surfacing. Secondly, the influence of pavement surfacing on initial cracking position of rib-to-deck weld was analysed. Subsequently, the relationship between notch stress and temperature was developed based on the numerical results, so is the relationship between initial cracking position and temperature. Finally, the fatigue damages evaluated by effective notch stress approach and traditional approach were compared and analysed. The results show that the stress dispersal behaviour through pavement surfacing further improves the fatigue durability of rib-to-deck welds. The initial cracking position is related to the pavement temperature, rather than the transverse loading positions of vehicle loads. The effective notch stress concentration position varies with the pavement temperature. Such variation should be reasonably considered in fatigue damage evaluation process where effective notch stress approach is applied.