Investigation on the Temperature and Stress Differences Between Sunny and Shady Surfaces of High-Altitude Concrete Bridge Piers

This study performed on-site monitoring of the temperatures on the sunny and shady sides of high-altitude bridge piers. Numerical simulation was used to analyze the stress field within the bridge piers at different temperature differences. Radiation-cooling materials on concrete were recommended to regulate the peak temperatures and temperature differences between sunny and shady surfaces of the bridge piers. The results indicated that the temperature difference between the sunny and shady surfaces can be up to 14.81°C at 4100 m above sea level. The larger the temperature difference, the higher the tensile stress on the sunny surface of the pier. Radiation-cooling materials decreased the concrete peak temperature by about 12°C and reduced the temperature difference between sunny and shady surfaces from 6.6 to 1.8°C. This method can effectively manage the temperature field and introduce a new method for controlling temperature differentials on high-altitude bridge piers. The study can fill the gap in the quantitative investigation of the temperature difference and stress on the sunny and shady surfaces of plateau piers.