Finite Element Analysis of Heavy Duty Riveted Steel Grating Bridge Deck

Heavy duty riveted gratings are a good alternative for applications that often employ other deck systems, if they are carefully analyzed under static and fatigue loads. Understanding the static behavior of a riveted steel deck under tire patch loads will aid in establishing a design model based on an effective beam width. In addition, use of a riveted system avoids welded details that may lead to fatigue cracking, thereby improving design life. In this study, analysis of a typical riveted steel deck under a standard AASHTO fatigue truck with a 15% impact factor was conducted. Hand calculations were compared with the results of a finite element model using SAP2000 v19.2.1. Bending moments and stresses were evaluated and compared. Stresses at the rivet hole for the most highly loaded bearing bar were evaluated. A model for fatigue cracking around a rivet hole is discussed.