Effect of weld residual stress relaxation on evolutionary properties of multiple cracks in orthotropic steel deck

Key Points

• Crack propagation significantly changes with weld residual stress relaxation, impacting structural durability.
• Analysis shows that reduced weld stresses can increase the risk of multiple crack formations, highlighting potential structural issues.
• Observational analysis on evolutionary properties changes in orthotropic steel deck involves complex crack dynamics influenced by initial welding processes.
• Highlights the need for further assessments on structural integrity in welded components to prevent catastrophic failures.