BULETINUL INSTITUTULUI POLITEHNIC DIN IAŞI

Publicat de
Universitatea Tehnică „Gheorghe Asachi” din Iaşi
Tomul LX (LXIV), Fasc. 3, 2014
Secţia
CONSTRUCŢII. ARHITECTURĂ

INDUCED STRESSES DUE TO THERMAL EFFECTS IN

COMPOSITE STEEL–CONCRETE GIRDERS
BY

CLAUDIA PONDICHI ALB* and CĂTĂLIN MOGA

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca

Faculty of Civil Engineering

Received: June 19, 2014

Accepted for publication: July 14, 2014

Abstract. The temperature variations of the air in shadow, of the solar

radiations and thermal radiations produce variations in the temperature
distribution in the individual members of a structure. This paper presents the
influence of the difference of temperature between the opposite faces of a
steel–concrete composite cross section upon the internal stresses state. In the
steel–concrete composite structures, the concrete from the composite structure
slab cannot have a free deformation arising from the temperature variation along
the height of the cross section because the slab is joined to the metal structure
through joining members (connectors). Consequently, as the tendency to shorten
or lengthen the concrete slab is prevented, internal stresses are induced to the
composite structure, and these stresses overlap those produced by shortening or
lengthening in the slab area. The mechanism through which stress develop from
temperature variation are exemplified for the case of a simply supported
steel–concrete composite girder.
Key words: composite girders; thermal effects; state of stresses; working
example.

1. Introduction

The daily and seasonal shadow air temperature variations, the variations
of solar radiations and thermal radiation produce variations of the temperature
*
Corresponding author: e-mail: [email protected]
80 Claudia Pondichi Alb and Cătălin Moga

distribution in the individual members of a structure. The amplitude of thermal

effects depends upon local climate conditions as well as upon the orientation,
total weight and structure finishing.
The temperature distribution inside an individual structural member is
made up of the following main components (Fig. 1):
a) the component of uniform temperature, ΔTU ;
b) the component of difference of temperature between the faces of the
same member, ΔTM ;
c) the nonlinear component of the difference of temperature, ΔTE.
This component establishes a field of stresses in equilibrium that does
not involve an actual effect of loading in the member.
The National Annex recommends in the bridge design in Romania not
to take into considerations the vertical nonlinear component in heat actions.

Fig. 1

The deformations of the structural members and the resulting stresses

depend upon the geometry and boundary conditions of construction members
(supports, joints, etc.) and the physical properties of the materials used.
When composite materials are used, special attention should be given to
the fact that these materials are made up of components with differing
coefficients of linear dilatation. In order to determine thermal effects, it is
recommended to use the thermal linear dilatation coefficient in materials, as
presented in Annex C from SR EN 1991-1-5.
The paper presents the influence of the difference of temperature
between the opposite faces of a steel–concrete composite cross section (the
component of the difference of temperature) upon the internal stresses state.

2. The Difference of Temperature

For a specified time interval, the heating and cooling of the upper face
of the bridge deck produces a variation of temperature that can lead to a
maximum heating (when the upper face is warmer) and a maximum cooling
(when the lower face is warmer).
The vertical difference of temperature can produce effects in a structure,
due to:
 Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, t. LX (LXIV), f. 3, 2014 81

a) the prevention of structure free deformation due to its shape (for

example, bearing frames, continuous beams, etc.);
b) friction among hinged supports;
c) non-linear geometrical effects (2nd order effects).
The effect of the difference of temperature along the vertical line can be
treated by a linear or non-linear distribution.
2.1. The Vertical Component of the Difference of Temperature

The effect of the difference of temperature along the vertical is taken

into account by using several linear components for the difference of
temperature equivalent to ΔTM.heating and ΔTM.cooling. The values of these
components are applied to the area between the upper face and the lower face of
the bridge deck.
In the case of bridge decks with a composite structure, for protection
layers of 50 mm, the following values are taken:
ΔTM.heating = 15ºC; ΔTM.cooling = 18ºC.
For protection layers different from 50 mm the values for ΔTM.heating and
ΔTM.cooling are multiplied by the factor ksurface given in SR EN 1991-1-5.

2.2. The Horizontal Component of the Difference of Temperature

In general, the component of difference of temperature requires

consideration only in vertical direction. In several particular cases. (for instance,
the configuration or orientation of the bridge may require the stronger sun
exposure of a part than another of the bridge) a horizontal component of the
difference of temperature is taken into account.
When no data are available and no higher values are indicated, it is
recommended to use the value of 5ºC for the difference of temperature, as the
linear difference of temperature between the external margins of the bridge,
irrespective of the bridge width.

2.3. Stresses Produced from the Vertical Component of the Difference of

Temperature

The concrete in the slab of the composite structure cannot have a free
deformation arising from the temperature variation along the height of the cross
section as the slab is joined to the metal structure by connectors.
Consequently, the concrete slab tendency of shortening or lengthening
is prevented and, within the composite structure, internal stresses are induced;
these stresses overlap the stresses produced during shortening or lengthening, in
the slab area.
82 Claudia Pondichi Alb and Cătălin Moga

The mechanism through which stress develop from temperature

variation are exemplified for the case of a simply supported steel–concrete
composite girder.
When the slab is colder than the lower part of the cross section, the slab
has a shortening tendency and the stresses developed are similar to those
produced by concrete shrinkage, respectively stresses with an opposite sign
when the slab has a higher temperature.
Loading arising from temperature is regarded as a short term load, the
calculus section being defined with the help of the coefficient of equivalence for
short term loadings (that is the equivalence coefficient, n0).
The specific deformation from the temperature variation is
 c. T   T  TM , (1)
where:  T  1×10  5 / 0 C is the thermal dilation coefficient of the concrete and
steel in the steel-concrete composite structures (SR EN 1991-1-5, Annex C,
Table C.1).
The axial stress produced in the concrete slab will be
N c . T   N m. T    c. T E cm Ac . (2)
Fig. 2 presents the stresses occurring in the composite cross section
when the slab has a lower temperature than the part opposite to the cross section
(the temperature difference being ΔTM.cooling = 18ºC).

Fig. 2 – Development of stresses due to concrete slab contraction.

When the concrete slab temperature is higher than that of the opposite
end (with a temperature difference of ΔTM.heating = 15ºC), the stresses produced
have an opposite sign, than previously.
 Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, t. LX (LXIV), f. 3, 2014 83

The stresses in the concrete slab and metal girder are as follows:
a) in concrete:

N c. T 1 N M 
c    m. T  m. T z  ; (3)
Ac n 0  Am Im 
b) in steel:
N m.T M m.T
a   z. (4)
Am Im

Am and Im represent the area and the inertia moment of the composite
concrete-steel section where the equivalence coefficient taken is n0.

3. Numerical Application
The state of stresses is assessed in the cross section of a steel–concrete
composite girder following the variation of temperature along the height of the
girder).
The following data are known:
a) composite girder cross section (Fig. 3);
b) concrete grade: C40/50;
c) S420 steel.
The web of the metal girder is provided with longitudinal stiffening
elements so that the grade for the section is 3 (stresses are considered).

Fig. 3 – Cross section of composite girder.

3.1. Stress Calculus when the Slab is Colder (ΔTM.cooling = 18ºC)

The specific deformation arising from the difference of temperature:

 c. T   T  TM  1×10 5 ×18  1.8×10  4 .
84 Claudia Pondichi Alb and Cătălin Moga

The equivalence coefficient for short term loadings is:

E 210 ,000 210, 000 210, 000
n0  a  0.3
 0.3
  5.96;
E cm  f cm   48  35, 220
22 ,000   22, 000  
 10   10 
0.3
 48 
E cm  22 ,000   = 35, 220 N/mm 2 .
 10 
The axial stress developed in the concrete slab will be:

N c . T   N m. T    c. T E cm Ac  1.8×10  4 ×0.3522×10 6 ×12 ,000 =

= 760×10 3 d aN.
The bending moment:
M m . T  N m. T  z cm  760×10 3 ×55.6=422.56×10 5 daN  cm.
1. The equivalent steel section
The equivalent steel width of the concrete slab:

* beff 6, 000
beff   = 1,007 mm .
n0 5.96

The composite section equivalent in steel is given in Fig. 4.

Am  3,934 cm 2
I m  2.5×10 7 cm 4

Fig. 4 – Characteristics of equivalent in steel cross section.

The unit stresses found from temperature are:

a) in concrete:
a1) in the upper fibre:
 Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, t. LX (LXIV), f. 3, 2014 85

N c. T 1  N m.T M m. T 

 c.sup  
   z cs  
Ac n 0  Am Im 
3 3 5
760×10 1  760×10 422.56×10 
    65.6    12.3 daN/cm 2 ;
12,000 5.96  3,934 2.5×10 7 

a2) in the lower fibre:

N c.T 1 N M 
  m.T  m. T z ci  
 c.inf  
Ac n0  Am Im 
3 3 5
760×10 1  760×10 422.56×10 
    7
45.6    18 daN/cm 2 ;
12, 000 5.96  3,934 2.5×10 

b) in steel:
b1) in the upper fibre:
N m. T M m.T 760×10 3 422.56×10 5
 a.sup   z as   45.6  270.3 daN/cm 2 ;
Am Im 3,934 2.5×10 7

b2) in the lower fibre:

N m.T M m.T 760×10 3 422.56×10 5
 a.inf   z ai   132.4   30.6 daN/cm 2 .
Am Im 3,934 2.5×10 7

The stresses diagram arising from shrinkage is given in Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 – Stress distribution due to effect of cooling.

3.2. Stress Calculus when the Slab is Warmer (ΔTM.heating = 15ºC)

The specific deformation arising from the difference of temperature:

 c. T   T  TM  1×10 5 ×15  1.5×10  4 .
86 Claudia Pondichi Alb and Cătălin Moga

The equivalence coefficient for short term loadings is

n 0  5.96 ; E cm  35,220 N/mm 2 .
The axial stress developed in the concrete slab will be
N c.T   N m . T    c.T E cm Ac  1.5×10  4 ×0.3522×10 6 ×12, 000  634 10 3 daN.

The bending moment:

M m.T  N m .T z cm  634×10 3 ×55.6  352.5×10 5 daN  cm.

The unit stresses found from temperature are:

a) in concrete:
a1) in the upper fibre:
N c. T 1  N m. T M m.T 
 c.sup    z cs  
Ac n 0  Am Im 
3 3 5
634×10 1  634×10 352.5×10 
    65.6   10.3 daN/cm 2 ;
12,000 5.96  3,934 2.5×10 7 
a2) in the lower fibre:
N c. T 1  N m. T M m.T 
 c.inf    z ci  
Ac n 0  Am Im 
3 3 5
634×10 1  634×10 352.5×10 
    7
45.6   15 daN/cm 2 ;
12,000 5.96  3,934 2.5×10 

b) in steel:
b1) in the upper fibre:
N M   634×10 3 352.5×10 5 
 a.sup    m.T  m .T z as      7
45.6    225.4 daN/cm 2 ;
A
 m I m   3,934 2.5×10 

b2) in the lower fibre:

N m . T M m.T 634×10 3 352.5×10 5
 a.in f    z ai    132.4  25.5 daN/cm 2 .
Am Im 3,934 2.5×10 7

The unit stress diagram arising from shrinkage is given in Fig. 6.

In Fig. 7 are presented comparatively the stresses resulting in the two
possible situations, that is when:
a) the concrete slab has a lower temperature than the opposite part;
b) the concrete slab has a higher temperature than the opposite part.
 Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, t. LX (LXIV), f. 3, 2014 87

Fig. 6 – Stress distribution due to effect of heating.

Fig. 7 – Stress distribution due to thermal effect of cooling and heating.

4. Final Remarks And Conclusions

The variation of the temperature field along the height of the composite
girder cross section modifies the internal state of stresses both in the concrete
slab and the metal part. The stresses overlap those produced from permanent
and net loads having an important effect upon the overall state of stresses..
According to SR EN 1994-2, the thermal stress effects can be neglected
in the analyses that check the ultimate stress states other than fatigue, in the case
88 Claudia Pondichi Alb and Cătălin Moga

of composite members in all cross sections of Class 1 or Class 2, where no

approximations are required for the lateral buckling in the limit states of usual
service.
From the numerical example given above, it yields that the stresses
produced from the difference of temperature between the two end faces of the
section have high values, with maximum values of 8%...12% from the strength
of the materials in use, steel and concrete.

REFERENCES

Guţiu Şt., Moga C., Structuri compuse oţel beton. U.T. PRESS, 2014.
Moga P., Pasarele pietonale metalice. U.T. PRESS, 2014.
Vayas I., Iliopoulos A., Design of Steel-Concrete Composite Bridges to Eurocodes.
CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.
*
* * Design Concrete Structures. Part 1-1: General Rules and Rules for Buildings. SR
EN 1992-1-1: 2006, Eurocode 2.
*
* * Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures. Part 1-1: General Rules and
Rules for Buildings. SR EN 1994-1-1: 2006, Eurocode 4.
*
* * Design of Composite Steel and Concrete Structures. Part 2: General Rules and
Rules for Bridges. SR EN 1994-2: 2006, Eurocode 4.

EFORTURI DIN VARIAŢIA CÂMPULUI DE TEMPERATURĂ PE SECŢIUNEA

GRINZILOR COMPUSE OŢEL–BETON

(Rezumat)

Variaţiile de temperatură ale aerului la umbră, radiaţiei solare şi radiaţiei

termice, produc variaţii ale distribuţiei de temperatură în elementele individuale ale unei
structuri.
Se studiază influenţa diferenţei de temperatură între feţele opuse ale unei
secţiuni transversale compuse oţel–beton asupra stării de eforturi unitare interioare.
În structurile compuse oţel–beton, betonul din dala structurii compuse nu poate
avea deformaţia liberă din variaţia de temperatură pe înălţimea secţiunii deoarece dala
este legată de structura metalică prin elementele de legătură (conectori).
Prin urmare, tendinţa de scurtare sau de alungire a dalei de beton fiind
împiedicată, în structura compusă sunt induse eforturi interioare, eforturi care în zona
dalei se suprapun peste cele produse din scurtare sau din alungire.
Mecanismul de dezvoltare a eforturilor din variaţia de temperatură se
exemplifică pe structura unei grinzi compuse oţel–beton simplu rezemate, de tip cheson.