Long-Term Remote Monitoring of Thermal Response of No-Name Creek FRP Bridge to Climate

FRP sandwich panels have been used for bridge decks for ten years. FRP materials exhibit different properties than traditional materials. These properties include thermal transfer coefficients and thermal expansion coefficients. Most FRP used in bridge deck construction is made of glass fibers and various polymers. These are insulators, so do not conduct heat well. As a consequence, top surface temperature would be significantly higher than bottom surface temperature under the summer sun. In contrast, the opposite would occur during the night in the winter. This temperature difference would induce bridge thermal deflection. In Sept. 2004, 12 thermal sensors were embedded into the first composite bridge built in the US: no-name creek FRP bridge. In addition, three laser sensors were installed to measure bridge thermal deflection. Between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2005, bridge temperature and deflection were measured at 20 minute intervals. Data were transferred to a computer in the composite laboratory at Kansas State University through a wireless connection. Relations between weather condition, temperature distribution and bridge deflection were analyzed. Results showed temperature induced deflection is on the same order or greater than that induced by traffic loads. Therefore, temperature induced deflection needs to be considered in FRP bridge deck design.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Liu, Wenjie
  • Zhou, Eric
  • Wang, Youqi
  • Meggers, David A
  • Plunkett, Jerry
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2008-1-13 to 2008-1-17
• Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridge design; Deflection tests; Fiber reinforced plastics; Glass fibers; Lasers; Remote sensing; Temperature measurement; Thermal properties; Weather conditions
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I35: Miscellaneous Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090777
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 08-1137
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 28 2008 8:16AM