Fatigue crack growth modelling for S355 structural steel considering plasticity-induced crack-closure by means of UniGrow model

The UniGrow model is an analytical procedure to assess the fatigue crack growth based on elastic–plastic crack tip stresses and strains. The assumption is that fatigue crack growth (FCG) can be considered as a process of successive crack re-initiations resulting from material damage in the crack tip zone. The main parameters of this model are...

Fatigue experimental characterization of preloaded injection bolts in a metallic bridge strengthening scenario

All over the world, the number of civil engineering structures, particularly bridges with long service periods, has been increasing. The most common evidences of damages are the presence of corroded metallic elements and cracks in structural details due to the fatigue phenomenon. A large number of cases were found in which fatigue cracks were...

Reliability of Fatigue Strength Curves for Riveted Connections Using Normal and Weibull Distribution Functions

In North America and Europe, there is a significant number of centenary metallic bridges that require maintenance and strengthening operations. These structures need to be adapted to increasing traffic intensities, and their structural integrity should be constantly evaluated. Fatigue damages were not considered in the original design of old...

Fatigue resistance curves for single and double shear riveted joints from old portuguese metallic bridges

The maintenance and safety of ancient bridges is a major concern of governmental authorities. In particular, the safety of old riveted bridges fabricated and placed into service at the end of the 19th century deserves particular attention. These structures are susceptible to exhibit high fatigue damage levels due to their long operational...

Alternative steel lattice structures for wind energy converters

Purpose: In the last decades, the demand and use of renewable energies have been increasing. The increase in renewable energies, particularly wind energy, leads to the development and innovation of powerful wind energy converters as well as increased production requirements. Hence, a higher supporting structure is required to achieve higher wind...

Global Fatigue Life Modelling of Steel Half-pipes Bolted Connections

A steel hybrid structural solution for onshore wind turbine towers was proposed in the European project SHOWTIME. This solution is used in the lattice structure for the lower portion of the tower. Recently, a procedure for fatigue life estimation of steel half-pipes bolted connections applied in global structural models using multiaxial Smith...