The laboratory study is described of samples of a cracked steel girder bridge from cleveland, ohio. The study was conducted at the turner-fairbank highway research center. Extensive examination was made of the fractured surfaces and analyses of the mechnanical and chemical properties to determine the source and causes of crack initiation. The results of the micro and macro examinations are presented and discussed. They revealed that there was a lack of penetration in the welded area that extended for the length of a repair weld. Theseand other observations are noted. The study demonstrated that weld repairs may do more harm than good, especially if they are field repairs. All weld repairs require close scrutiny, and recommendations are made regarding such repairs.
Abstract