PSI - Issue 81

Roman Samchuk et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 81 (2026) 184–191

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Table 2. Indicative fatigue detail categories and Notch classes used for the web–flange connection. Weld type EN 1993-1-9 EN13001

Double fillet weld Full penetration weld

36*

71 (Detail No. 3.13)

71

100–112 MPa (Detail No. 3.11 - quality dependent)

Table 2 highlights a significant di ff erence in the assigned fatigue classes for the considered web–flange detail between NEN-EN 13001-3-1 (2025) and EN 1993-1-9 (2005). A comparison against Hobbacher (2016) indicates a classification closer to NEN-EN 13001-3-1 (2025) and less conservative than the EN 1993-1-9 (2005) value. Sim ilar discrepancies for runway-beam top-flange-to-web connections have been reported in the literature by Citarelli and Feldmann (2019), with potentially far-reaching economic consequences for assessment outcomes and retrofit de cisions. Recent test programmes on non-through-welded (fillet-welded) flange–web configurations from Kuhlmann et al. (2015); Euler (2017), together with earlier Steinbach (1988); Dittrich and Ernst (1973); Klo¨ppel (1966), provide additional evidence suggesting less conservative classifications for this type of connection.

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Global and local fatigue damage patterns

The FE results show a complex stress state in the web–flange region, with combinations of compressive and tensile principal stresses depending on crane and trolley position as well as local sti ff ness conditions near supports and surge connections. When cyclic horizontal actions are included (Scenario VH), the stress ranges and consequently the fatigue damage at the governing locations increase compared to Scenario V.

Fig. 2. Global fatigue damage overview of the runway assembly for the double fillet weld assumption. Comparison of EN 13001 and EN 1993-1-9 for Scenario V (vertical wheel loads only) and Scenario VH (vertical + inertial / horizontal actions). The global view indicates the locations of fatigue damage concentration and shows a larger fatigue-a ff ected area when horizontal actions are included.