STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THERMAL ACTIONS FOR CONCRETE BRIDGE DESIGN

Thermal effects have often been associated with concrete bridge damage. The non-linear temperature distributions that arise in bridges are difficult to estimate and are often considered in a simplified way by designers, which may lead to structural behaviour problems. In this paper, a methodology is presented, based on a statistical analysis of temperature distributions, that may be used to define the differential and uniform variations of temperature. Examples are presented for the climatic conditions in Portugal. Temperature distributions were obtained by considering a numerical technique for resolution of the Fourier heat-transfer equation, taking into account the geometry of the bridge cross section, the thermal properties of concrete and asphalt, and climatic conditions. The validity of this technique was confirmed using experimental data from instrumented bridges. By considering the available meteorological data, a statistical analysis was performed to obtain characteristic and combination values. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10168664
• Corporate Authors:

  International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering

  ETH-Honggerberg, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 15
  Zurich 8093,   Switzerland  CH-8093
• Authors:
  • SILVEIRA, A P
  • BRANCO, F A
  • CASTANHETA, M
• Publication Date: 2000-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 33-8
• Serial:
  • STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering
  • ISSN: 1016-8664

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bitumen; Bridges; Concrete; Loss and damage; Temperature
• Geographic Terms: Portugal
• ITRD Terms: 4963: Bitumen; 3455: Bridge; 4755: Concrete; 1614: Damage; 8090: Portugal; 6722: Temperature
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00790240
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Apr 11 2000 12:00AM