Crack propagation and residual load‐bearing behavior of composite dowels – effects on the global behavior of composite girders under cyclic loading

Fatigue of a composite girder according to Eurocode 4 is carried out on the decisive shear connector. It not taken into account that an internally highly statically indeterminate system in which failure dowel does necessarily lead girder. This applies particular dowels are characterised by crack propagation phase with high residual load-bearing capacity damaged dowel. In own small part and tests as well numerical studies, numerous positive effects could be identified girders dowels, increase lifetime case initial steel dowel, followed propagation, stiffness degradation connector leads redistribution forces. The limited joint or global increasing partial connection. A safety concept for taking development strength forces within holds enormous economic potential. article shows how these can account.