Weld residual stress (WRS) is a major contributor to fatigue cracking at the U-rib-to-deck (RD) joints of orthotropic steel bridge decks (OSBD). To investigate the generation, and distribution mechanism of WRS and its impact on the ultimate bearing capacity, an FEA model of the RD joint was developed by using a thermo-mechanical coupling calculation approach. Then, the differences in WRS of RD joints with different weld forms were compared. Furthermore, a simulation method considering WRS for the ultimate bearing capacity of OSBD and a theoretical formula for its calculation were developed. Fi...
