Thermal design criteria for deep prestressed concrete girders based on data from Confederation Bridge

The evaluation of temperature data recorded on the world's longest bridge built over ice-covered water is presented. The data in question are the hourly recorded temperatures in three girder sections with variable geometry and ambient temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed measured on site from 1998 to 2000. The data were first carefully screened, and problematic records were identified and repaired. The temperatures were then spatially reduced to a set of thermal variables including average, differential, and residual temperatures. Extreme value analysis was performed to obtain 100 year return thermal loads. The results are compared with the provisions in the Canadian highway bridge design code (CAN/CSA-S6-00) and the original design temperatures for the bridge. Temperature distributions for maximum positive vertical differential temperatures during the recording period are plotted for the three girder sections. The observed unrestrained curvatures and nonlinear stresses are compared with those estimated by the Priestley model. Modifications are found to be necessary for extremely deep cross sections.