Statistical Analysis of Thermal Actions on a Concrete Segmental Box-Girder Bridge

A method is presented for statistical treatment of thermal actions measured on concrete bridges during long-term monitoring. The method is based on recognising that thermal actions are not entirely random, but contain deterministic components due to the Earth’s rotation and revolution. Greater precision and reliability could be attained in calculating frequent, quasi-permanent and 50-year return-period values for thermal actions by applying separate statistical analyses to these random and deterministic parts. The procedure is used to check the validity of the empirical relationships in Eurocode 1 between the effective mean temperature of a bridge and the shade air temperature.