Study on the thermal field of arch bridge by solar radiation action

An automatic load-apply method in thermal simulation is implemented. The solar radiation, air convection, and long wave radiation environment temperature is considered by ANSYS APDL and ASHRAE clear sky model and the ray-tracing algorithm are included in this method. The effectiveness of the algorithm has been verified by comparing with the real pictures of an upper bearing arch bridge on November 7, 2010, in 108 ° 53 ' E, 32 ° 30 ' N. After that, the thermal field of main grider and arch rib in this arch bridge of that day is analyzed by transient FEM analysis. It is established that the thermal distribution of upper bearing arch bridge by solar radiation action is nonuniform. The temperature of areas covered by main grider is lower than that is uncovered. The arch temperature changes over the intensity of solar radiation, the maximum radiation intensity comes at three o'clock in the afternoon, and the maximum temperature difference between top and bottom of rib can reach 18.5℃.