Accounting for the specifics of the bridge surface temperature regime during winter road maintenance

Abstract

The issues of enhancing traffic safety on bridges remain consistently relevant. Maintaining the high operational condition of transportation structures under adverse weather conditions, particularly during winter, is crucial. Bridges are considered ‘colder’ compared to road sections, with slipperiness forming more frequently on them, anti-icing technologies for bridges have distinct characteristics.
The research aims to identify structural features of bridges influencing winter slipperiness formation and develop methods for its prediction to improve traffic safety. Analysis shows that bridges, unlike road segments, exhibit lower surface temperatures due to the absence of a soil base, multilayered material composition, and high thermal conductivity, leading to increased ice formation. Experimental methods, including sensor measurements from automatic road weather stations (ARWS), and specialized calculations based on solving non-stationary heat conduction equations with boundary conditions accounting for bridge design specifics, can determine pavement temperature regimes.
The paper describes and analyzes technical systems used for weather monitoring of artificial structures both internationally and in Russia. Installation specifics of road sensors integrated into ARWS on bridges, associated challenges, and solutions are examined. The necessity of developing ice formation warnings based on sensorderived data is emphasized.
A physical formulation of the problem regarding bridge temperature regime formation under external factors is presented. A mathematical model for calculating bridge pavement temperature is proposed, represented by a nonstationary heat conduction equation for multi-layer structures, with boundary condition peculiarities described. Further research objectives are outlined.