Manual for inspecting bridges for fatigue damage conditions

Abstract

This report is intended to supplement existing inspection and evaluation manuals and provide engineers with basic information and guidelines for inspecting bridges for fatigue damage. A comprehensive description of the AASHTO fatigue categories of structural details is given in Chapter 2. In Chapters 3 to 6, color photographs and line drawings illustrate the locations and situations which are susceptible to fatigue cracking. Guidelines are provided on where to look and what to look for when inspecting bridges for fatigue damage. Chapters 7 and 8 provide procedures for the estimation of fatigue life and for the evaluation of bridge structure against risk of fatigue failure (A).