Computer Simulating of Fatigue Stress Spectra of Riveted Steel Bridges

Fatigue problems are increasing remarkably of riveted steel bridges operated for years. Fatigue assessment costs time and money using measured fatigue stress spectra. Computer simulating of fatigue stress spectra of riveted steel bridges can overcome the disadvantages. Simulating random traffic flow closes to practice according to the statistical results of vehicle load. The stress time history can be obtained through loading simulation traffic flow on the influence line of components. Then, the simulation stress spectra are got by means of rain flow counting method. The effectiveness is verified by comparing with the measured fatigue stress spectra. The result shows that the simulation stress spectra approach the measured stress spectra. It can be used for fatigue assessment.