Transfer of Australasian bridge design to fatigue verification system of Eurocode 3

The fatigue design of steel structures given in Eurocode 3 has gained more and more significance within the engineering society. That is not only true for Europe, where it was developed, it has also received worldwide recognition and application. The system is consistent with many recent design codes in various areas, such as for cranes, off-shore structures and shipbuilding. The main basis for the fatigue regulations is the IIW Fatigue Design Recommendations, which were established by an international body with the widest possible collaboration of all relevant countries. A code does not stand alone, it is bound into a network of neighbouring codes and so, an introduction of a new code can only be made step-by-step with a reasonable time for transition. The transition from the verification procedures of the Australasian code to that of the Eurocode implies an adaption of the loading system. This should not imply a change in the loading, but an adaption in terms of the format, so that the fatigue verification procedures of Eurocode may be applied while the load models can be maintained. The paper provides an overview of the Eurocode system and puts forward a proposal for adaption of the loading system to the first harmonized Australian and New Zealand design standard for steel and composite bridges AS/NZS 5100.6.