Temperature Load Parameters and Thermal Effects of a Long-Span Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Arch Bridge in Tibet

Zangmu Bridge is a concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) arch bridge along the Sichuan-Tibet railway in Tibet, with a main span of 430 m. Owing to the unique temperature conditions in Tibet, there have been no large-scale experimental studies on the thermal load design of CFST bridges in this area. Therefore, to determine the thermal load calculation parameters and thermal effects of Zangmu Bridge, a long-term continuous field test was conducted to measure the temperature variations in a test arch with the same pipe diameter. The test results were then compared with current design specifications and relevant literature. Finally, the thermal effects in a CFST arch bridge were analysed using the finite element method. According to the results, the following recommendations were made: (1) the average temperature of concrete in the pipe after the formation of concrete strength should be used to calculate the closure temperature of CFST arch bridges in Tibet; however, the standard calculation formula was still applicable; (2) the daily average temperature in extreme weather should be taken as the maximum and minimum effective temperature; (3) we presented recommended values for the influence range and gradient temperature for a single large-diameter pipe; and (4) a refined finite element model that included the arch base should be used to verify the temperature effects during bridge design.