Numerical Evaluation of Applying Geothermal Bridge Deck Deicing Systems to Mitigate Concrete Deterioration from Temperature Fluctuations
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 10
Abstract
This paper uses numerical modeling to evaluate the ability of a geothermal bridge deck deicing system to mitigate concrete deterioration. A model of an experimental bridge deck with embedded heat exchanger tubing was created using COMSOL (version 5.6) Multiphysics software. The model accounts for heat transfer and structural behavior and was validated against temperature and strain data from physical experiments. Inlet fluid temperatures of 10°C and 50°C, reflecting average ground temperatures in Montana, were tested to evaluate the system's effect on deicing, frost action, and thermal stresses. A sensitivity analysis was also completed to investigate the influence of ambient temperature, inlet fluid temperature, and tube spacing in the efficiency of the geothermal deicing system. The results suggest that higher fluid temperatures and reduced pipe spacing improved the effectiveness for deicing and mitigating frost action and strain due to thermal movements, but also increased temperature gradients in the bridge deck. The deicing system shows promise in reducing some mechanisms of concrete deterioration, while staying within allowable limits for others. Numerical modeling provides insights into designing deicing systems to mitigate frost action and thermal stresses in bridge decks.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or codes generated or used during the study are available upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support for this project provided by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). The authors would also like to recognize and thank the MDT Research Section and the technical panel for their participation in this project.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 10 • October 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 5, 2024
Accepted: May 31, 2024
Published online: Jul 25, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Bridge components
- Bridge decks
- Bridge engineering
- Business management
- Cold regions engineering
- Decks
- Deicing
- Disaster risk management
- Energy engineering
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Ice
- Material mechanics
- Material properties
- Materials engineering
- Measurement (by type)
- Mitigation and remediation
- Models (by type)
- Numerical models
- Practice and Profession
- Renewable energy
- Static loads
- Statics (mechanics)
- Stress (by type)
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Structural systems
- Temperature (by type)
- Temperature effects
- Temperature measurement
- Thermal loads
- Thermal power
- Thermal properties
- Thermodynamics
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