The impact of uneven temperature distribution on stability of concrete structures using data analysis and numerical approach

Abstract

Temperature variation is an essential factor to influence the stability of concrete structure. In contrast to the uniform distribution of temperature in most existing approaches, this paper aims to study the natural temperature distribution in concrete structure and analyze its impact on structural mechanical behaviors in field. As a case study, an underwater shield tunnel is investigated using the presented method. Firstly, temperature sensors are installed in different positions to achieve real-time monitoring in field. Then, a statistical model is derived by monitoring data to describe temperature variation. As a core component of the approach, the devised statistical model is integrated into our program to determine the external loads imposed on model. Finally, the mechanical behaviors of concrete structure are discussed under uneven temperature distribution. Analytical results indicated the magnitudes of temperature distribution is related to different positions of structure, in which the significant distinctions can be observed at upper and lower of tunnel as well as the inside and outside structures. Also, the tensile stress of tunnel lining increases with the rise of temperature, for instance, in this case study per temperature rising would lead to an increment 25.3 KPa of tensile stress. As a promising application, the analytical results provide an assessment of concrete structure stability.