Fatigue Design of Steel Bridge Deck Asphalt Pavement Based on Nonlinear Damage Accumulation Theory

Abstract

Based on the nonlinear damage theory, this paper aims to explore the fatigue performance of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement under multistage fatigue load. Manson–Halford cumulative damage model and the modified model were introduced to describe loading sequence effects, and interactions between multiple loads were represented in stress ratio. The fatigue life prediction method of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement was put forward, considering loading sequence effects and load interactions. The fatigue design of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement was investigated with the fatigue life prediction model. The effects of different load levels and loading sequence on the fatigue design parameters stress ratio of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement were studied. The design results were compared with experimental results, and the prediction results were based on traditional Miner’s theory. The analysis results showed that the fatigue life prediction method based on the nonlinear cumulative damage theory can effectively design and analyze the fatigue characteristics of asphalt pavement of steel bridge deck with high accuracy and reliability. The fatigue life prediction model of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement can well reflect loading sequence effects and load interactions. In addition, the design model has relatively few parameters; therefore, it can be applied to practical engineering design.