Temperature gradient and its effect on flat steel box girder of long-span suspension bridge

The temperature field variation law and distribution characteristics of an orthotropic flat steel box girder under sunny conditions were analyzed through a field temperature test on the steel box girder of the operational Runyang Yangtze River Bridge(the suspension bridge part).Function optimization fitting and error analysis of the test data were conducted.A temperature gradient distribution curve applicable to a hexagonal flat steel box girder was proposed.Based on the measurement results,the temperature effect of an orthotropic flat steel box girder was analyzed using finite element method and the effects of different temperature gradient modes on the mechanical characteristics and stress distribution of the steel box girder were compared.Under sunny conditions,heat conduction in the flat steel box girder structure shows distinct "box-room effect" characteristics,and the actual temperature gradient distribution is inconsistent with the one suggested by the existing standards.The thermal stress of a steel box girder calculated from the measured temperature gradient mode exceeds that calculated from the standard,and the intensity approximates that under the action of designed vehicle loads.The temperature-induced stress is distributed centrally near the manufacturing welds of the orthotropic steel box girder,which should be considered in design,construction and research.Results from this study could supplement the existing bridge and culvert design standards.

Innovative steel-UHPC composite bridge girders for long-span bridges

Steel and steel-concrete composite girders are two types of girders commonly used for long-span bridges. However, practice has shown that the two types of girders have some drawbacks. For steel girders, the orthotropic steel deck (OSD) is vulnerable to fatigue cracking and the asphalt overlay is susceptible to damage such as rutting and pot holes. While for steel-concrete composite girders, the concrete deck is generally thick and heavy, and the deck is prone to cracking because of its low tensile strength and high creep. Thus, to improve the serviceability and durability of girders for long-span bridges, three new types of steel-UHPC lightweight composite bridge girders are proposed, where UHPC denotes ultra-high performance concrete. The first two types consist of an OSD and a thin UHPC layer while the third type consists of a steel beam and a UHPC waffle deck. Due to excellent mechanical behaviors and impressive durability of UHPC, the steel-UHPC composite girders have the advantages of light weight, high strength, low creep coefficient, low risk of cracking, and excellent durability, making them competitive alternatives for long-span bridges. To date, the proposed steel-UHPC composite girders have been applied to 14 real bridges in China. It is expected that the application of the new steel-UHPC composite girders on long-span bridges will have a promising future.

Design and construction of super-long span bridges in China: Review and future perspectives

Super-long span bridges demand high design requirements and involve many difficulties when constructed,which is an important indicator to reflect the bridge technical level of a country.Over the past three decades,a large percentage of the new long-span bridges around the world were built in China,and thus,abundant technological innovations and experience have been accumulated during the design and construction.This paper aims to review and summarize the design and construction practices of the superstructure,the substructure,and the steel deck paving of the long-span bridges during the past decades as well as the current operation status of the existing long-span bridges in China.A future perspective was given on the developing trend of high-speed railway bridge,bridge over deep-sea,health monitoring and maintenance,intellectualization,standard system,and information technology,which is expected to guide the development direction for the construction of future super long-span bridges and promote China to become a strong bridge construction country.