Forces and stresses that develop in the superstructure of prestressed concrete integral abutment bridges as a result of thermal load are investigated. Applied loading consists of uniform temperature changes in the superstructure. The influence of bridge length, number of spans, abutment height, and pile orientation on thermally induced superstructure forces is investigated. The largest thermally induced superstructure forces and stresses occurred near the abutment. It was determined that bridge length and abutment height most strongly influence thermally induced superstructure forces. The number of spans has the greatest influence on thermally induced superstructure stresses. Pile orientation influences thermally induced superstructure forces and stresses to a smaller degree. Results also indicate that thermally induced superstructure stresses and shear forces are comparable in magnitude to those caused by live load.
Abstract