Temperature distribution characteristic in solar-ground source coupled snow-melting system for bridge deck

The temperature distribution under both heated and unheated condition was analyzed based on the data collected from a full-scale solar-ground source coupled snow-melting systems for bridge deck. The effect of heating system to the temperature distribution characteristic of bridge deck was discussed, and factors which had an impact on temperature distribution were also investigated. Test results illustrated that temperature and heat flux changed with time, and they followed sine distribution. With depth increasing, daily temperature difference and daily heat flux difference decreased gradually. Solar radiation had a significant impact on temperature distribution. With the operation of heating system, temperature distribution in bridge deck was changed significantly by the heat transferred from heated pipes. The results also indicate that it could optimize application by selecting reasonable pipe material, increasing inlet fluid temperature or mass flow rate.