Monitoring der Theodor‐Heuss‐Brücke – Teil 2 – Modellbildung und ‐verbesserung für messwertgestützte Ermüdungsnachweise.

Monitoring of the Theodor Heuss bridge in Düsseldorf – part 2: modelling and model improvements for a measurement‐based fatigue analysis Due to calculated deficits in the fatigue bearing capacity of the orthotropic deck, a monitoring system was installed at the Theodor Heuss bridge to measure strains at significant locations for one year. Part 1 of this paper describes the monitoring system and findings on the load‐bearing behavior resulting from the measured data. This second part follows with data‐based fatigue evaluations and the lifetime prediction. The basis of the evaluations is a structural model, which is calibrated based on two load tests in summer and winter. From this, transfer factors are derived, taking into account different load positions, which compensate the distance of the measuring points to the decisive design points. In this way, the measured stress range histograms are transformed into representative load spectra, which are finally used for the lifetime prediction. The evaluations show that further load reserves are available for most components and that a significant improvement is achieved compared to the recalculation. Only the corners of the floor beam cut‐out (cross girder tooth) still show significant deficits, which are also confirmed by the existing cracks. A decision on the future of the Theodor Heuss bridge, which depends on further factors, is currently pending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]