Temperature Gradients in Bridge Concrete I-Girders under Heat Wave
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 24, Issue 8
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental research work to determine temperature gradients in concrete bridge girders under natural environmental conditions. Three AASHTO Type I-girders having different configurations (with and without wide top flanges) were considered in the experimental program. Temperature was monitored in the bridge girders to determine the vertical and transverse temperature gradients in a predeck placement condition. It was found that uneven heating of optimized bridge girder sections results in large nonlinear temperature gradients. The current AASHTO design standard, which only uses a nonlinear vertical but no transversal temperature gradient, was found inaccurate to predict both shape and magnitude of temperature gradients for the analyzed girders.
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Acknowledgments
This research is supported by the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Ton Duc Thang University, and Southern Plains Transportation Center. The authors are thankful to a number of graduate students for their help during the experimental program.
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Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 24 • Issue 8 • August 2019
Copyright
© 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 16, 2018
Accepted: Mar 14, 2019
Published online: May 17, 2019
Published in print: Aug 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Oct 17, 2019
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