Thermal Movement in Concrete/Steel Curved Composite Structures
Thermal Movement in Concrete/Steel Curved Composite Structures
(OP)
Is there a difference in how a curved section of a bridge reacts to temperature change as oppossed to a straight section?
If the bearings are articulated to allow movement around the curve does it effectively behave in the same way...?
If the bearings are articulated to allow movement around the curve does it effectively behave in the same way...?






RE: Thermal Movement in Concrete/Steel Curved Composite Structures
Your inside radius can be thought of as a "short" line expanding and contracting, while your outside radius is a "long" line expanding and contracting. This leads to a radial expansion in addition to the tangential expansion and you need to consider this in some cases.
Typically you need to ensure that the slight lateral/tangential movement will be compensated for in the design, normally by having bearings able to accomodate these forces.
Your expansion joint need only be designed for the longitudial forces (along the line of the circumference), but for a differing amount of expansion for the inside and outside.... This is difficult, and typically means (at least in each case I've seen) that these curving bridges are designed as simply supported spans...
Good luck!
YS
B.Eng (Carleton)
Working in New Zealand, thinking of my snow covered home...
RE: Thermal Movement in Concrete/Steel Curved Composite Structures
RE: Thermal Movement in Concrete/Steel Curved Composite Structures
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