Determination of temperature gradient of slender structure

Abstract

This study investigates convenient methods of determination of temperature gradient of slender structures in time. Correct determination of temperature along the height of the cross-section takes a key role in defining the temperature loading of slender bridge structures. A proper definition of temperature loading is crucial for structures such as stress ribbon because of their sensitivity to temperature change in terms of geometrical changes of the structure. Correct determination of the temperature gradient is important during long-term geodetic monitoring, which might be used to prove the correctness of computational models of bridge structures. To approximate heat transfer in cross-section, a test specimen with temperature sensors installed along the height was formed and continuously monitored. The accuracy of the retrofitted temperature sensors was also investigated. The temperature at the surface of the specimen, solar radiation and wind velocity were used as input data for heat transfer analysis. The measured values from sensors situated along the height were subsequently used for verification of performed heat transfer analysis on volume computational model in the software Ansys Mechanical.This study investigates convenient methods of determination of temperature gradient of slender structures in time. Correct determination of temperature along the height of the cross-section takes a key role in defining the temperature loading of slender bridge structures. A proper definition of temperature loading is crucial for structures such as stress ribbon because of their sensitivity to temperature change in terms of geometrical changes of the structure. Correct determination of the temperature gradient is important during long-term geodetic monitoring, which might be used to prove the correctness of computational models of bridge structures. To approximate heat transfer in cross-section, a test specimen with temperature sensors installed along the height was formed and continuously monitored. The accuracy of the retrofitted temperature sensors was also investigated. The temperature at the surface of the specimen, solar radiation and wind velocity were used as input data for heat transfer analysis. The measured values from sensors situated along the height were subsequently used for verification of performed heat transfer analysis on volume computational model in the software Ansys Mechanical.