Present Achievement and Future Possibility of Fatigue Life Simulation Technology for RC Bridge Deck Slabs

Fatigue life of RC bridge deck slab is simulated with full 3D nonlinear finite element analysis which fully traces mechanical damage and plasticity under high cycle repetition of loads in use of logarithmic accelerated time integration. The damaging process under the wheel type moving load is described. The influencing factors, i.e., thickness of slab, reinforcement arrangement, pre-stressing level and traffic conditions are examined separately by controlling effective variables. In addition, effect of water is shown in fatigue analysis of a simple beam model. In this study, future possibility of this simulation technology is discussed in line with infrastructure management for real structures