Journals Information
Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(1), pp. 373 - 390
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130123
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Fatigue Analysis and Assessment of a State Highway Bridge on Hunsur-Mysore Road
Manu Vijay 1,*, G. Ravi 2
1 ATME College of Engineering and Research Scholar, The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, India
2 Department of Civil Engineering, The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
India's road transport system relies heavily on its extensive network of bridges, many of which are reinforced cement concrete RCC structures. Fatigue is a critical issue for these road bridges, significantly influencing their life span. This study focuses on the fatigue analysis of an RCC bridge on NH275, connecting Mysore to Hunsur in Karnataka State, India to ensure the long term safety and reliability of aged RCC road bridges by assessing their structural integrity in the face of fatigue induced damage. The methodology involved a systematic approach by collecting load data to calculate annualized traffic and cross-sectional data was gathered from documentation to accurately model the bridge. A moving load analysis was conducted to evaluate the stress distribution under vehicular loads. The study then applied Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) to analyze fatigue cracks caused by cyclic loads using crack initiation and propagation theories. But, due to the high randomness of LEFM parameters and associated uncertainties, structural reliability principles were incorporated and the Reliability Index (尾), was calculated using a limit-state approach. MATLAB 7.12.0 (R2011a) was used for computational analysis which enabled precise calculations. This study provides a detailed understanding of the relationship between load cycles, crack size, and the Reliability Index (尾) for Reinforced Concrete Bridge. It emphasizes the importance of equivalent stress range and detected crack size in fatigue analysis and offers a methodology for predicting bridge reliability over time. The results indicated that the Reliability Index (尾) consistently decreased as the number of load cycles increased. At 2x10鈦� cycles, the highest 尾 value was observed in the scenario with a single moving vehicle, reflecting lower stress levels. The analysis also showed that bridges with detected cracks and varying traffic growth exhibited different 尾 values depending on the crack size and vehicle speed. This developed method enabled the assessment of bridge dependability and helped determine an acceptable risk level and optimal inspection intervals, ensuring a safe and reliable bridge. The findings contribute to the development of more accurate inspection strategies and maintenance plans, ensuring the safety and longevity of bridge structures.
KEYWORDS
Fatigue Analysis, Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics, Moving Load Analysis, RCC Bridge, Reliability Index (尾), Structural Reliability
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Manu Vijay , G. Ravi , "Fatigue Analysis and Assessment of a State Highway Bridge on Hunsur-Mysore Road," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 373 - 390, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130123.
(b). APA Format:
Manu Vijay , G. Ravi (2025). Fatigue Analysis and Assessment of a State Highway Bridge on Hunsur-Mysore Road. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(1), 373 - 390. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130123.