Highway Bridge in Aluminium

The design of highway bridges in aluminium is studied. Both theoretical and experimental investigations are included. Of special interest is bridge structure solutions, where the bridge deck is an integral part of the overall load carrying system. The theoretical investigations include FEM analysis, both of the global behaviour of the structure and of special structural elements with large stress concentrations, to be able to determine the optimum solutions.
One of the main problems in connection with application of aluminium in bridges is the fatigue life. In the experimental part of the project, the fatigue life is studied under a realistic random loading, corresponding to a highway bridge. The results obtained in the fatigue tests will be compared with similar results obtained in a theoretical determination of the fatigue life, by use of fracture mechanics.