The Bridge Expansion Joint Fatigue Failure Analysis And Life Estimation

In recent years, with the increase of traffic volume in our country, the failure of high way bridge expansion device under repeating traffic load lead to driving uncomfortably and the damage of bridge structure. It is very important to analyze its fatigue failure of bridge expansion device and provide method about high way maintenance for improving driving condition, assuring the safety and durability of bridge structure, enhancing bridge maintenance efficiently and saving money used by maintenance of high way. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the mechanism of the fatigue damage of bridge expansion device and estimate its fatigue life by theories and experiment.On the basis of the investigation and analysis, taking plate rubber expansion device as an example, this paper will make a research from three aspects as following:1. On the basis of the investigation and analysis of the bridge expansion device in He Nan Province and behavior in service of the bridge expansion device in our country. This paper draws a conclusion that one of the main reasons of the device wearing are fatigue damage.2. Make the three-dimensional finite element model about plate rubber expansion device. And then the models are applied serviceable load and displacement. This paper analyses the dynamics responses of high way bridge expansion device under driving vehicles action, its history of stresses that make plate rubber expansion device fatigue damage cumulation by the mechanics model of the device and damage cumulation analysis. In addition, the fatigue life of the bridge expansion device is estimated.3. The fatigue life of the bridge expansion device are influenced by many factors. Taking these factors as parameter, this paper studies how the variation of the parameter of finite element model influences the fatigue life of the bridge expansion device. It can provide references to the design and maintenance for the bridge expansion device in the future.