Effect of dynamic wheel loads on fatigue performance of RC slabs

摘要

This paper presents an examination of the effect of dynamic wheel loads of vehicles on fatigue performance of RC slabs. The dynamic wheel load effect is considered by means of the impact coefficient. A three-dimensional (3D) traffic-induced dynamic response analysis of bridges is carried out to simulate the impact coefficient for RC slabs along with the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique. The simulation incorporates randomness of the surface roughness of bridges, the bump height, the vehicles' traveling positions, the vehicles' axle weights, and vehicle speed. It is observed that the slab located near the expansion joint, which is rendered stronger by its deeper cross section, has a lower probability of fatigue failure than other panels even though the slab near the expansion joint experiences the most severe dynamic loading effect.