![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
Abstract
In the case of bridge structures the ability to determine the life of a damaged bridge span as a function of load cycles is fairly essential. It allows the person who is responsible for the service of such a structure to make decisions related to the necessity of its possible repair. One of the basic parameters used in the analysis of service lifecycle of steel structures with a damage of a particular size, is the stress intensity factor K, which is used in a large number of formulas describing the growth rate of fatigue cracks. The work presents an assessment of a possible use of the finite elements method to calculate using the stress intensity factor K directly. The obtained results were compared with the results obtained with three other methods based on the FRANC2D software and with laboratory own tests results. Taking into account the results of these analyses presented in the paper it was found out that the FRANC2D software is a very useful and practical tool in strictly engineering tasks.