Evaluation of the contact area of lorry tyres in Eurocode’s fatigue load model 4 (FLM4)

Fatigue resistance of the deck plate in steel orthotropic deck structures

Steel orthotropic decks in bridges and ferries have shown to be prone to fatigue cracking. A typical fatigue crack observed in these structures initiates at the root of the weld between the deck plate and stringer and grows into the deck plate. Due to limited fatigue test data available and the deviating characteristics of this type of crack as...

Deformation to fracture evolution of a flexible polymer under split Hopkinson pressure bar loading

The deformation-to-fracture evolution of aflexible polymer material under high-strain-rate compressive loadingconducted by a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) setup was investigated. Representative tests were carriedout at different strain rate levels, followed by the characterization of dynamic damage after each test. Craze andcrack patterns...

The effect of floating deck structures on underwater radiated noise

A concept for underwater machinery noise mitigation of future civil and military ships is the application of a common deck structure, supporting multiple machines, which is installed on resilient mounts on the ship's foundation structure. TNO is addressing the availability and testing of tools to be able to set realistic targets for the radiated...

Maintenance decision model for steel bridges: a case in the Netherlands

A probabilistic model is developed to investigate the crack growth development in welded details of orthotropic bridge decks. Bridge decks may contain many of these vulnerable details and bridge reliability cannot always be guaranteed upon the attainment of a critical crack. Therefore, insight into the crack growth development is crucial in...

Compressive response of multiple-particles-polymer systems at various strain rates

Multiple-particles-polymer systems of a polyurethane elastomeric matrix embedding 25wt.% and 50wt.% 0.5 mm-diameter PMMA particles were investigated using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) setup for revealing the dynamic compressive mechanical response. Taking the 25wt.%-particles-polymer system as a reference case, the characteristics of...

Validation of a crack growth model using observed cracks in a bridge

Fatigue life or crack growth predictions that use information from crack inspections have been applied to offshore structures and, in recent years, also to steel bridges. Apart from inspection data, a probabilistic crack growth model and knowledge of the distributions and correlations of the variables are required for such predictions. The...

Influence of asphalt on fatigue crack monitoring in steel bridge decks using guided waves

Asphalt materials generally exhibit temperature-dependent properties, which can influence the performance of fatigue crack inspection and monitoring systems for bridge deck structures. For a non-intrusive fatigue crack sizing methodology applied to steel decks using ultrasonic guided waves, the effect of asphalt has been investigated. A higher...

Dynamic compressive mechanical response of a soft polymer material

The dynamic mechanical behaviour of a soft polymer material (Clear Flex 75) was studied using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. Mechanical properties have been determined at moderate to high strain rates. Real time deformation and fracture were recorded using a high-speed camera. Fracture micrographs were examined to explore the...

Probabilistic fatigue life updating accounting for inspections of multiple critical locations

Many steel structures contain multiple fatigue sensitive details that have similar geometries and are subjected to similar load fluctuations. Examples are orthotropic (bridge) decks and stiffened (ship) hulls where tens to thousands of similar details are present in one structure. Generally only visual inspections on fatigue cracks are...

Prevention of reinforcement corrosion by hydrophobic treatment of concrete

Corrosion of reinforcement in concrete bridge decks may occur due to penetration of de-icing salts, even in the presence of an asphalt overlay. This paper reports a laboratory study into additional protection of concrete by hydrophobic treatment. It was found that hydrophobic treatment strongly reduces chloride ingress, both during semi...

Hydrophobic treatment of concrete

As part of the maintenance policy of the dutch Ministry of Transport, Civil Engineering Division, hydrophobic treatment of concrete was considered as an additional protective measure against penetration of aggressive substances, for instance deicing salts in bridge decks. A set of tests was designed to determine the performance of commercial...

Hydrophobic treatment of concrete

As part of the maintenance policy of the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Civil Engineering Division, hydrophobic treatment of concrete was considered as an additional protective measure against penetration of aggressive substances, for instance deicing salts in bridge decks. A set of tests was designed to determine the performance of commercially...