Analysis of Vertical Temperature Gradients and Their Effects on Hybrid Girder Cable-Stayed Bridges

Abstract

The real temperature distribution within 24 h of the main beam in a single-tower hybrid beam cable-stayed bridge is analysed according to its actual section and material parameters, as well as other factors of local atmospheric temperature, geographical environment, and solar intensity. The results show that the internal temperature distribution in the steel–concrete composite beam is uneven, and the temperature of the steel is higher than that at the surface of the concrete slab. Then, a finite element model of the whole bridge is established using the thermal–mechanical sequential coupling function in ABAQUS to acquire the structural response under the action of a 24-h temperature field. The results show that the vertical temperature gradients have a great influence on the longitudinal stress in the lower flange of the steel I-beam, with a maximum compressive stress of 11.9 MPa in the daytime and a maximum tensile stress of 13.36 MPa at midnight. The temperature rise leads to a downward deflection of the main span, and the maximum deflection occurs at the 1/4 main span. There was an obvious temperature gradient in the concrete slab, with a difference between the maximum and minimum value of 14 °C. Similarly, the longitudinal compressive stress of the concrete slab increases with increasing temperature in the daytime, but the peak time is obviously inconsistent with that of the steel beam.