Erhöhung der Restnutzungsdauer an ermüdungs- überbeanspruchten Bauteilen einer Stabbogenbrücke bei Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Abstract

Wind-induced vibrations have caused an early fatigue on specific steel components and joints of a railway bridge over the Elbe River at Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It was not possible to calculate sufficient remaining life for those bridge components due to the real cyclic loads that they were exposed to. Based on experimental investigations, engineering remedial actions appropriate to the site were carried out. The grinding of the affected steel surfaces was the key element of the remedial actions. Furthermore, additional fracture mechanic calculations were carried out in order to asses the remaining life of the welded joints. In this respect, the current calculation approach used by Deutsche Bahn AG was compared to further procedures from the mechanical engineering field. These investigations showed that the studied, repaired components have both bearing and fatigue capacities within the standards prescriptions. © Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG.