ACI PRC-215-21

ACI PRC-215-21 PDF

Fatigue is a mechanical degradation process caused by repeated loads, such as traffic loading or wind loads on a bridge, that results in irreversible damage in concrete structures. Many types of concrete elements are subjected to repeated loads, such as airport and roadway pavements, bridge girders, bridge decks, wind turbines, and prestressed concrete railroad ties. This document provides information that will benefit practicing engineers interested in the design or rehabilitation of concrete structures subjected to high-cycle fatigue-that is, stress cycles in which the material behavior remains within the elastic range. The effects of repeated loads on plain concrete, reinforcing materials, and reinforced concrete systems are discussed based on a summary of available literature. This report does not contain detailed design procedures but rather should be considered a general resource providing a comprehensive overview of fatigue issues in reinforced concrete structures