Numerical investigation on the fatigue life of non‐cracked metallic plates repaired with bonded CFRP

A numerical investigation reveals that bonding carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) to non-cracked metallic plates can significantly extend their fatigue life, offering a promising solution for aging riveted bridges. The study used nonlinear finite element analysis in ABAQUS to simulate the cyclic elasto-plastic behavior and fatigue strain life of puddle iron from the Luiz I Bridge in Porto, Portugal. By modeling debonding failure with a cohesive zone model calibrated through fracture mechanics tests, researchers estimated fatigue crack initiation life using a local approach based on material fatigue strain life. The findings demonstrate that CFRP reinforcement can substantially enhance the fatigue resistance of metallic structural components, even in the absence of pre-existing cracks.

Mohabeddine, A., Correia, J. A. F. O., Castro, J. M., Montenegro, P., De Jesus, A. M. P., & Calçada, R. A. B. (2021). Numerical investigation on the fatigue life of non‐cracked metallic plates repaired with bonded CFRP. Ce/Papers, 4(2-4), 1135–1144. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.1405