BRIDGE HEATING USING GROUND-SOURCE HEAT PIPES

An experimental bridge deck heating system has been constructed and monitored that uses field-assembled heat pipes to transfer energy from 100-ft vertical evaporators in the ground. Measurements indicate that the heated surface was from 2ous to 14ousC warmer than the unheated portion of the bridge during heating events. This heating was sufficient to prevent the preferential freezing of the bridge deck surface relative to the adjacent road and provided some snow melting. A computer model that simulates the performance of ground heat pipe systems has been developed and verified by using data from two experimental facilities. This model is being used in conjunction with experimental results to prepare a general design procedure for these types of systems.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/962/962-008.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=BRIDGE+HEATING+USING+GROUND-SOURCE+HEAT+PIPES&author=R.+Lee&author=J.+Sackos&author=J.+Nydahl&author=K.+Pell&publication_year=1984
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309037182
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Winter Maintenance. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Lee, Ron C
  • Sackos, John T
  • Nydahl, John E
  • Pell, Kynric M
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References;
• Pagination: pp 51-56
• Monograph Title: Bridge maintenance management, corrosion control, heating, and deicing chemicals
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 962
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Design; Geothermal resources; Heat pipes; Simulation
• Old TRIS Terms: Ground heat
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Energy; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394969
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309037182
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM