Mechanical characterization of ancient Portuguese riveted bridges steels

Abstract

In repairing and retrofitting processes of ancient riveted steel bridges is crucial to assess the structural state of old metals to guaranty structural safety. Metals under long-time operations (mild, rimmed low carbon steels <0.1% C, puddle irons) and cyclic loading present a tendency for degradation processes. The case-studies of this work are five metallic bridges existing in Portugal (Luiz I, Eiffel, Fão, Pinhão and Trezói). This work presents the study of some characteristics of materials extracted from the five case-studies, such as: monotonic tensile strength, chemical composition, microstructures, hardness, notch toughness and fatigue crack propagation. In terms of monotonic tensile tests, the materials from Luiz I, Eiffel and Fão bridges are similar to puddle steel and the materials from Pinhão and Trezói bridges are similar to mild steel. In terms of toughness only the material from the Pinhão bridge exhibits acceptable toughness properties, considering current design requirements. The materials from the other bridges exhibit relatively low toughness properties. The fatigue crack propagation data from the old Portuguese riveted steel bridges were correlated using the Paris’s law and the possibility for a design crack growth rate was discussed.

Keywords:

• monotonic tests
• microstructure
• chemical characterization
• notch toughness
• fracture mechanics

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Patrícia Raposo

Patrícia RAPOSO born 1991 in Azores, Portugal, is PhD candidate in Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto since September 2017. She is also Research Assistant of Optics and Experimental Mechanics Laboratory (LOME) of INEGI/UP and CONSTRUCT/ FEUP (Portugal). She obtained the MSc in Civil Engineering (structures) by Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto in 2016. Currently, her works in field of the Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics of old riveted steel bridges.

José Correia

José CORREIA, born 1984 in Peso da Régua, Portugal, is Senior Researcher of Optics and Experimental Mechanics Laboratory (LOME) of INEGI/UP and CONSTRUCT/FEUP (Portugal). He is also Invited Professor at the structural mechanics section in the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Coimbra. He obtained the degrees BSc (2007) and MSc (2009) in Civil Engineering by the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. He is specialist in steel and composite (steel and concrete) construction by the University of Coimbra in 2010. He is PhD in Civil Engineering by University of Porto in 2015. He is also co-author of more 30 papers in the most relevant scientific journals devoted to engineering materials and structures and 80 proceedings in international and national conferences, congresses and workshops. His is an expert in structural integrity, fatigue and fracture of materials and structures.

Grzegorz Lesiuk

Grzegorz LESIUK is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanics, Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The research field of dr Lesiuk is connected with the microstructural degradation processes and its potential influence on the mechanical properties of long term operated steel structural members. Another important part of research is fracture mechanics and fatigue fracture in terms of energy methods. During the last four years dr Lesiuk extensively cooperate with Polish and European companies in R+D, Energy, automotive and railway sector. Dr Lesiuk at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology conducts regular lectures and classes: classical mechanics, dynamics, differential equations, fracture mechanics. He is invited as a guest lecturer to The Witelon State University of Applied Sciences in Legnica, Poland (lectures in: Fracture Mechanics, Lightweight Structures, Engineering Failure Analysis). Dr Lesiuk is a member of Polish Group of Fracture Mechanics.

Isabel Valente

Isabel B. VALENTE is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho. Between 1997 and 2000, she worked as structural engineer at AFAssociados, Projectos de Engenharia SA. Her main research interests are: experimental and numerical research on steel structures, steel and concrete composite structures, steel and concrete connections and connections between concrete and FRP materials.

Abílio De Jesus

Abílio DE JESUS, born 1973 in Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal, is an expert in Structural Integrity, Fatigue and Mechanical Testing. He obtained his Mechanical Engineering degree at Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) in 1996, an MSc degree in 1999, and a PhD of University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in 2004. Currently he is a professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of FEUP. He is also co-author of more 100 papers in the most relevant scientific journals devoted to Engineering Materials and structures and more 200 proceedings in international and national Conferences, congresses and workshops. He has been a coordinator or researcher in several international (EU) and national projects (FCT and QREN).

Rui Calçada

Rui CALÇADA obtained the MSc in Civil Engineering Structures at Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) in 1996 and the PhD in Civil Engineering at University of Porto in 2003. He is Full Professor at the Civil Engineering Department and Coordinator of the Centre of Competence in Railways of FEUP. He was principal investigator of 12 research projects and was member of the team of 10 research projects in the field of railways. His main research interests are: advanced models for train-infrastructure dynamic interaction; wayside (track, bridges, and transition zones) and on-board condition monitoring systems; advanced algorithms for RCM systems. He is member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Railway Technology. He is director of the PhD programme – iRail – Innovation in railway systems and technologies.