Multiaxial fatigue criteria for prestressed strengthening of steel connections

In this study, the high-cycle fatigue behavior of bridge connections subjected to distortion-induced loadings (generating multiaxial stresses) and strengthened with prestressed elements were experimentally investigated. Thereafter, appropriate critical plane-based thresholds based on modified Wohler curve method (MWCM) Fatemi-Socie's (FS) criteria used predict initiation cracks in angles considering estimated fully reversed uniaxial shear limits as well residual stresses. The strengthening system was effective reducing mean values a result prestressing force, enabling shift stress state below threshold.