Finite element analysis of temperature distribution in precast concret girders subjected to thermal loads

In general, the present bridge design codes introduce special provisions to control the possible effects of thermal loads that results from solar radiation and variation in air temperature. In this research, a thermal finite element analysis was conducted to study the temperature distributions and temperature gradients in precast concrete bridge girders under the effect of the daily variations of solar radiation, air tempera-ture and wind speed. The proposed finite element model was verified with experi-mental results from literature, in which good agreement was found between the finite element results and the experimental records. The finite element model was then used to study the time dependent temperature variations and vertical temperature gradients for extreme thermal loads in Gaziantep, Turkey, in which weather stations was installed and climate records for more than 30 years were utilized. Comparisons were made between the predicted maximum vertical temperature gradient for the case of Gaziantep extremes and four available gradient models. The comparisons showed that with minor modifications, the current AASHTO temperature gradient model can be used to simulate Gaziantep extreme conditions. Keywords: finite element analysis, precast concrete girder, solar radiation, tempera-ture gradient, thermal loads.