Effects of residual stresses on fatigue crack propagation of an orthotropic steel bridge deck

Orthotropic steel decks (OSD's) are susceptible to fatigue failure due cyclic loading. Often cracks found in the joint between deck plate and trough. Due welding process, residual stresses present around joint. In this paper, effect of on crack propagation rate has been evaluated. First, a FE model made predict validate stress field OSD welding. The validation is comparing measured data at surface over thickness flange. used subsequently for analysis based extended finite element method (XFEM). simulation including shows good correlation compared experimental data, while without less correlation. effects relatively large as tensile transversal increase propagation, longitudinal decrease rate. optimal modelling component investigated.