TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY ANALYSIS IN EARLY-AGE CONCRETE DECKS OF COMPOSITE BRIDGES

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to accurately assess the variation of temperature and relative humidity in early-age concrete decks of composite bridges. An analytical method that can reasonably predict the temperature and relative humidity changes was investigated. To examine the early-age behavior of composite bridges, several series of actual bridge deck members were tested, and temperatures were measured directly from the test members. The adiabatic temperature rise, ambient temperature, solar radiation, and ambient relative humidity were also measured and used in the analytical method. The present study indicates that the solar radiation has a pronounced effect on the temperature of the deck surface. The combination of solar radiation and relative humidity difference along the depth of the deck slab may induce larger stresses, which may cause cracking of deck. The present study allows more realistic assessment of temperature and relative humidity distribution of bridge decks which can be effectively used for evaluation of stresses and cracking at early ages.