Bridge Fatigue Life Evaluation Under Multi-Factor Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately evaluate the fatigue damage and life of bridge structures under complex multi-factor coupling effects, leading to unreliable results and increased risk of accidents as bridges age.

Innovation Solution

A comprehensive method involving probability distribution modeling, finite element analysis, and reliability calculations to assess the fatigue damage and life of bridge structures under multiple factors such as vehicle load, wind, temperature, corrosion, and abrasion, identifying the dominant factor and its impact on structural reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If previous study uses single factor performance analysis methods (fatigue factor, corrosion factor, or abrasion factor separately), then the evaluation method is simple and easy to implement, but the evaluation result is unreasonable and unreliable when multiple factors act simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of evaluation method implementationVSAvoidreliability of evaluation result

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the evaluation process into distinct modules: probability distribution model establishment, sampling, finite element analysis, rain flow counting, and reliability calculation. Each module handles a specific aspect of multi-factor coupling evaluation independently, making the complex evaluation method manageable and implementable while maintaining comprehensive coverage of multiple factors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple factor evaluation (fatigue, corrosion, abrasion) into a unified framework that handles them simultaneously through coupled probability distribution models and integrated finite element analysis, producing comprehensive evaluation results that account for interactions between factors rather than treating them separately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If general coefficients or integration methods are used to evaluate multiple factors, then the calculation process is simplified, but the evaluation result becomes unreasonable and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of calculation processVSAvoidreliability of evaluation result

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters from simple general coefficients to comprehensive probability distribution parameters (mean values, standard deviations, skewness, kurtosis) that capture the statistical characteristics of each factor and their couplings, enabling reliable evaluation while maintaining manageable calculation complexity through systematic parameter organization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical calculation approaches with probabilistic statistical methods, using probability distribution models and statistical moments to characterize factor variations and their interactions, leading to more reliable evaluation results that account for uncertainty and variability in bridge performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple factors are considered in bridge evaluation, then the evaluation accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the evaluation system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of evaluation resultVSAvoidcomplexity of evaluation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal evaluation framework that can handle multiple factors (fatigue, corrosion, abrasion) and their various coupling relationships through a single integrated system, allowing the same methodological structure to evaluate different factor combinations without requiring separate specialized analyses for each case

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing probability distribution models and calculating statistical parameters before the main evaluation process, pre-processing the complex multi-factor data into organized statistical representations that simplify subsequent evaluation calculations while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250045476A1Method for evaluating fatigue damage and life of bridge structure under multi-factor coupling effect and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 SOUTHEAST UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for evaluating the fatigue damage and life of a bridge structure under a multi-factor coupling effect. The method comprises the following steps: S1, reproducing complex service environment action values; S2, analyzing performance values of a bridge structure; S3, calculating coupling fatigue damage of a vulnerable part; and S4, predicting a remaining life of the bridge structure. By adopting the method, the fatigue damage condition and remaining life of an in-service bridge under a multi-factor coupling effect can be accurately evaluated, and the effect of each factor/action and the coupling effect the factors/actions in fatigue damage of a vulnerable part are quantitatively analyzed, thereby providing data support and decision-making reference for the operation and maintenance management, reinforcement and repair, and optimal design of bridges.