Structural performance of continuous slab-on-steel girders bridge subjected to extreme climate loads

The expected continuation or acceleration of climate change could induce additional stresses that increase the risk of failure of critical bridge components. Bridge structures are designed based on historical weather records, where the climatic patterns reflect the local climate in which the bridge is located. This study investigates the impact of extreme ambient temperatures and very high thermal gradients on the safety and serviceability of multi-span slab-on-steel girder bridges. A three-span slab-on-girder bridge designed according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code and simulated by a 3D nonlinear finite element model is investigated for the effect of average ambient and differential temperatures as predicted by climate change models. The results show increases in the moments in critical sections of the bridge superstructure and very large longitudinal and lateral displacements. More investigations are required to further investigate the safety of the bridge elements and connections.