Temperature Behavior and Stability Analysis of Orthotropic Steel Bridge Deck during Gussasphalt Pavement Paving

Gussasphalt concrete (GAC) is increasingly used in long-span steel bridge deck pavements because of its impermeability and compliance. However, the paving temperature of GAC is very high, inducing a significant nonuniform temperature distribution in the bridge during paving, and this has an adverse effect on the serviceability of bridge. In this study, the temperature behavior and stability of orthotropic steel bridge deck (OSBD) during the GAC paving were investigated. First, the temperature distribution of a steel bridge during the GAC paving was studied using field monitoring and numerical simulation. Second, the temperature stress and deformation of the OSBD during GAC paving were calculated. Third, the effect of the temperature deformation of OSBD on pavement unevenness was examined. Last, a submodel and eigenbuckling analysis method was used to evaluate the stability of the U ribs during the GAC paving. The results show that uplift and expanded deformation occur in the steel bridge deck during the GAC paving, and this deformation could cause a nonuniform thickness distribution of pavement. The temperature load during paving could reduce the ultimate bearing capacity of the U ribs in the paving area, and there is a hidden danger of instability in the OSBD during the GAC paving.