THERMAL STRESS ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURES

Only mean temperature changes are generally considered in the design of concrete bridge superstructures. Because of daily changes in both ambient temperature and intensity of solar radiation, temperature differentials also exist in concrete superstructures. These temperature differentials induce stresses throughout the depth of concrete structures, which are generally not included in current design procedures. This paper describes the heat transfer processes that occur between the atmosphere and a concrete superstructure and also the climatic conditions necessary for the development of temperature differentials during both summer and winter temperature-time analyses, computed by using a one-dimensional heat flow analysis, indicate that the distribution of temperature throughout the depth of a superstructure is nonlinear and is a function of superstructure depth. Stresses associated with the nonlinear temperature gradients are described. These stresses can be several times those due to live load, specially in continuous systems. The stresses predicted from the idealized distributions are compared to those obtained by using the heat flow analysis. The results indicate that the idealized distributions have limited design value. Simple empirical design expressions are developed for both thermal stresses and curvature. These are based on typical climiatic data for summer and winter conditions and can be applied to a variety of cross-sectional superstructure geometries. An example of the stresses induced by thermal loading on a two-span box-girder superstructure is given. /Author/

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/607/607-003.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on General Structures. 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:
  • Radolli, M
  • Green, R
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 7-13
• Monograph Title: Bridge design, testing, and evaluation
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 607
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girders; Bridge design; Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Clay; Climate; Concrete bridges; Curvature; Heat flow; Highway grades; Live loads; Slopes; Structural design; Television cameras; Thermal stresses; Traffic surveillance
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157807
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309025826
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 28 1977 12:00AM