Probabilistic analysis of shear fatigue life of steel plate girders using a fracture mechanics approach

Probabilistic analysis of shear fatigue life of steel plate girders of two railway bridges with welded connections, designed according to Indian Railway Standards, is presented in this paper. The fatigue life is determined using a fracture mechanics based procedure. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses are carried out and, based on the results of these sensitivity analyses, the random variables having significant influence on fatigue life are identified. The probability distribution of fatigue life is determined using the Monte Carlo simulation technique and a relation for estimating the characteristic fatigue life is proposed.