Title: Design of Concrete Bridges for Temperature Gradients

Author(s): M. J. Nigel Priestley

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 75

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 209-217

Keywords: box beams;bridges (structures);continious beams;cracking (fracturing); delfection;girder bridges;heat transfer;prestressed concrete;reinforced concrete;serviceablity;stresses;structural analysis;thermal gradient;thermal stresses.

DOI: 10.14359/10934

Date: 5/1/1978

Abstract:
This paper reviews the state of the art of ambient thermal loading of prestressed and reinforced concrete bridges. Discussion is generally confined to the behavior under vertical temperature gradients induced by solar radiation input to the deck surface. Methods for predicting design tempurature gradients from local metorlogical conditions are discussed, and a general analytical method for predicting the vertical distribution of thermally induced stress is developed. Results from laboratory and in situ experiments confirm the validity of the analytical approach. The influence of cracking on the thermal response and the sgnificance of thermal loading to ultimate capacity are briefly discussed.