Fatigue and corrosion fatigue life prediction of a railway steel truss bridge based on field measurements

This study proposes a novel approach for predicting the corrosion fatigue life of steel bridges by integrating continuum damage mechanics. The methodology accounts for the coupled effects of the corrosive environment and cyclic loading. In addition, it incorporates the influence of early-stage damage on the subsequent evolution of damage. Field measurement data from a specific railway steel truss bridge are utilized to investigate the coupled effects of corrosion and fatigue, the performance of anti-corrosion systems, and the influence of load sequences on fatigue life. The results demonstrate that incorporating corrosion damage significantly alters fatigue life predictions, with the discrepancy between fatigue and corrosion fatigue life reaching up to 93%. Investigation of Measurement Point 1 reveals that for components subjected to lower stress ranges, the combined effects of corrosion and high cycle count dynamic loading may render such components critical in determining the overall fatigue life of the structure. The proposed approach provides a reliable basis for corrosion fatigue life prediction and offers valuable insights for optimizing maintenance strategies.