The Fatigue Performance of Cross Frame Connections

A new method of connecting cross-frames to bridge girders had been proposed to alleviate concerns with current design practices. This new, half-pipe detail needs to be examined for fatigue issues that may exist which would make it infeasible as a replacement candidate for the current bent-plate design. A program of laboratory testing was carried out to determine the comparative performance between the half-pipe and the bent-plate designs. These tests were then translated into a finite element model which was examined to determine behavior over a wide range of designs scenarios. Finite element results, along with the laboratory testing data, were used to determine the appropriate use of the half-pipe stiffener.