Title: Temperature Distributions and Stresses in Concrete Bridges

Author(s): D. S. Prakash Rao

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 83

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 588-596

Keywords: beams (supports); box beams; bridges (structures); concrete slabs; continuous beams; finite difference theory; finite strip method; heat transfer; solar radiation; temperature; thermal stresses.

DOI: 10.14359/10452

Date: 7/1/1986

Abstract:
Temperature distribution and the resultant stresses in a concrete bridge depend upon several factors, of which ambient conditions and support details are the most important. A series solution is adopted for linear heat flow analysis and the results are compared with those from the Finite Difference Method. The influence of dissimilar climatic data of Christchurch, New Zealand, Melbourne, Australia, and New Delhi, India on the temperature distribution is studied, and design temperature distributions for the Melbourne data are proposed. The influences of the blacktop thickness and ventilation of the air-cell in box girders are also studied. Some of the inferences drawn from these studies are at variance with the results available in the published literature. The proposed temperature distributions can be used for ambient climatic data similar to those adopted in this article.