Improved Fabrication and Inspection of Welded Connections in Bridge Structures

摘要

The report consists of two parts. Part A, describes the optimization and application of acoustic emission monitoring to the in-process detection, location, and characterization of flaws in welded connections for highway bridges. The microprocessor-based acoustic emission monitoring system was fabricated and tested in the laboratory on various intentionally induced flaws, in welds which simulated typical highway bridge welded connections. Additionally, the tensile, fracture toughness, and fatigue properties were evaluated for the weldments fabricated using steels commonly employed in bridge construction: ASTM A36, A588, and A514. A variety of welding techniques were considered. The results of these tests are presented.