Abstract:
In order to solve the problem of the fatigue crack propagation on traffic signal support structures, the ANSYS software is used to model the previous static and the fatigue tests on a signal support structure. The finite element (FE) results are compared with the test results. The results show that the maximum Mises stress on the steel tube is 413.7 MPa in the static model. The FE results are close to the test results. The
△KⅡ and the
△KⅢ values at the deepest point are very small. The
△Keff values are almost equivalent to the
△KⅠ values. The fatigue life is dominated by the
△KⅠ value. The
△KⅠ values for the points further away from the crack ends present M shape. The
△KⅠ values calculated by the Bowness equation are larger than those obtained by the FE method. It is conservative to predict the fatigue life for the welded tube-to-transverse end plates used in signal support structures.