Statistical Analyses of the Non-Uniform Longitudinal Temperature Distribution in Steel Box Girder Bridge

Abstract

The frequently conventional assumption that bridge temperature is uniformly distributed on long-span bridges could lead to uncertainty when analyzing temperature effects. This study investigated the surface temperature of steel box girders on a long-span suspension bridge, emphasizing the distribution characteristics in the longitudinal (spanwise) direction. The girder surface temperature distribution was monitored using the long-term structural health monitoring system (SHMS). First, the probability density functions (PDF) of the girder surface temperature were analyzed. The results showed that the PDFs had bimodal characteristics and could be well-fitted using the weighted superposition of two normal distributions. Meanwhile, there was an obvious difference between the PDFs of the measuring points at different longitudinal sections of the bridge, which is inconsistent with the assumption that the temperature was uniformly distributed in the longitudinal direction. Subsequently, the longitudinal distributions of the girder surface temperature were statistically analyzed, and polynomial functions were introduced to fit the distribution curves along the left and right sides of the mid-span. A correlation analysis was then performed, highlighting the variability in temperature in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the longitudinal temperature distribution pattern could be summarized as (i) the highest in the mid-span, the lowest in the tower, and increasing along the side span; (ii) there were also significant differences between the left and right sides of the mid-span. Finally, the time- and space- distributions of the temperature were studied, and a contour map was displayed. The results showed that the girder surface temperature had significant three-dimensional spatial characteristics and was not only non-uniformly distributed in space but also in time. This work is useful for a more accurate analysis of temperature effects on long-span bridges.