Topic outline

  • Steel Bridges - Fatigue in Structural Members

    Credits: 3 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    This course provides the practicing engineer with the background required to understand and use the design rules for fatigue resistance that are currently a standard part of design codes for fabricated steel structures.

    Fatigue in metals is the process of initiation and growth of cracks under the action of repetitive tensile loading. If crack growth is allowed to go on long enough, failure of the member can result when the uncracked cross-section is sufficiently reduced such that the member can no longer carry the internal forces for the crack extends in an unstable mode. The fatigue process can take place at stress levels that are substantially less than those associated with failure under static loading conditions. The usual condition that produces fatigue cracking is the application of a large number of load cycles. ..

    Topics:

    • Overview and Historical Perspective
    • Introduction to Crack Growth
    • Flaws in Fabricated Steel Structures
    • Load-Induced, Distortion-Induced Fatigue
    • Stress Range as the Dominant Stress Parameter
    • Examples of Distortion-Induced Fatigue Cracking
    • Finite / Infinite Life Design
    • Fracture Control
    • AASHTO Provisions / Specifications

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course:
    Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: primarily for structural, civil, construction, hydraulic or other engineering professionals whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of fatigue in steel bridge members..
    Publication Source: US FHWA

    Donald Parnell, PE

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