European research on the improvement of the fatigue resistance and design of steel orthotropic bridge decks

Within the frame work of research funded by the European Community for Steel and Coal, several programmes have been carried out to investigate fatigue aspects of steel bridges. Testing of bridges on site as well as full-scale laboratory experiments and numerical analysis has been performed to study the behaviour assumed in theory and that encountered in service. The objective was to extend the knowledge of fatigue in bridge construction and to improve existing design methods. This paper reviews the work carried out. It highlights some practical experience acid recommendations on how to reduce the risk of fatigue failures.