Repair of Fatigue Damage in Cross Bracing Connections in Steel Girder Bridges

Practical repairing methods for fatigue damage in cross bracing connections in steel girder bridges are studied experimentally. Fatigue cracks initiated in the welded joint between upper flange of longitudinal girder and transverse stiffener to which cross bracing is connected. Various repairing methods are examined and the increasing weld size with TIG dressing is proposed as one of the most suitable repairing method.