SEASONAL AND DIURNAL BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE BOX-GIRDER BRIDGES

Measurements from three instrumented bridges in different parts of the United States were used to assess seasonal and diurnal behavior of concrete box-girder bridges. Effective bridge temperatures were used to evaluate seasonal thermal changes in bridges. Effective bridge temperature is defined as the temperature that governs longitudinal bridge movements. The effective bridge temperatures followed the same seasonal fluctuation as monthly average air temperature at the bridge site. Measured temperature differentials from top to bottom slabs for the three box-girder bridges were between +20ousF and -10ousF (+11.1ousC and -5.6ousC) regardless of geographic location. Temperature differentials were calculated by subtracting temperatures of the bottom slab from those of the top slab. Diurnal behavior of one bridge was continuously monitored for 24 hours during each of the four seasons. Longitudinal strains and temperatures were used to evaluate effects of nonlinear temperature gradient on bridge behavior. Internal thermal stresses at the instrumented bridge sections are reported.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/982/982-008.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=SEASONAL+AND+DIURNAL+BEHAVIOR+OF+CONCRETE+BOX-GIRDER+BRIDGES&author=K.+Shiu&publication_year=1984
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Concrete Bridges. 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:
  • Shiu, K Nam
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 50-56
• Monograph Title: Bridges and foundations
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 982
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girders; Concrete bridges; Daily; Girder bridges; Monitoring; Seasons; Structural analysis; Structural mechanics; Temperature; Thermal stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Seasonal variations; Structural behavior
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00399175
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309037646
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM