Temperature Response of Double-Layer Steel Truss Bridge Girders

Abstract

Double-layer steel truss continuous girders are prone to significant temperature stress, deviation, torsion, and warping, thus causing adverse temperature structural responses, and also affecting the safety and durability of bridge structures. This paper presents an investigation on time-dependent characteristics in the temperature field and temperature response of double-layer steel truss continuous bridge girders, fully considering the shielding effect subjected to different solar radiation angles during the high-temperature season. The time-dependent thermal boundary conditions and support conditions provided for the steel truss bridge structure were determined. Subsequently, a thermal analysis model for the entire structure of double-layer steel truss continuous girders was established to attain the temperature distribution law. The research results show that significant differences occur in the position and temperature difference of temperature gradients exhibited in the vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions in the double-layer steel truss bridge structure. The temperature distribution pattern within the chord section is mainly influenced by the environmental temperature and solar radiation intensity, along with the heat exchange between different panels. Thereafter, a validated temperature gradient formula for the component section has been proposed. The time-dependent laws in structural displacement, stress, and rotation angle under daily temperature cycling conditions have been revealed, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the life cycle construction and safety maintenance of double-layer steel truss structure bridges.