Welding under service conditions ‐ Influence of different boundary conditions during welding

Abstract Steel structures, such as bridges, must be continuously maintained. Due to increasing traffic loads, design and execution shortcomings, many steel bridges are subject various types of damage, cracks. The maintained by crack removal re‐welding the During this work, bridge is closed for in order suppress flank movement during welding. As a result, loads on other routes higher, which increases further damage detour subsequently additional welding work costs these structures. Therefore, aim provide method that allows structures under running traffic, respectively cyclic loads. First, measurements at representative were conducted derive gap opening parameters amplitude frequency tests Monitoring cracks shows behavior complex description force redistribution challenge. In quantify influence different boundary conditions weld quality fatigue, experimental investigations carried out displacement control only only. For both, fatigue strength was comparable standard requirements, so service possible certain aspects.