BRIDGE FROST: OBSERVATIONS AND FORECASTS BY NUMERICAL METHODS

This paper discusses a method to evaluate forecast methods for predicting frost on bridges. In this study, human observations of early-morning bridge temperatures and frost occurrence on three bridges were made to establish a database of bridge frost occurrences and non-occurrences. When frost is detected, observations were continued until the frost disappeared, thereby providing additional information on duration and timing of onset and demise. A numerical simulation model for vertical heat transfer in a bridge has been developed that uses input from a weather forecast model to predict bridge-surface temperatures and to predict onset time, depth and duration of frost on the bridge. This procedure will establish an upper limit on predictability that might be expected for a frost forecast procedure. Preliminary comparison of results with measured surface temperatures from a road weather information system station demonstrate that the model is capable of supplying surface temperatures within 1 deg C of measured values over a 40-hour forecast period if it is supplied with accurate weather information.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ctre.iastate.edu/pubs/midcon2003/GreenfieldFrost.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0965231062
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Authors:
  • Greenfield, T M
  • Takle, E S
  • Tentinger, B J
  • Alamo, J J
  • Burkheimer, D
  • McCauley, D
• Conference:
  • Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium
  • Location: Ames, Iowa
  • Date: 2003-8-21 to 2003-8-22
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 9p
• Monograph Title: MID-CONTINENT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM (AMES, IOWA, AUGUST 21-22, 2003). PROCEEDINGS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Databases; Empirical methods; Evaluation; Frost; Heat transfer; Mathematical prediction; Meteorology; Numerical analysis; Road weather information systems; Surface temperature; Weather forecasting
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Data and Information Technology; Geotechnology; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I62: Winter Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00964695
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0965231062
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 14 2003 12:00AM