Abstract:

In this paper,first,a numerical model was established with finite element program.Then,a thermody-namic simulation on the snow melting process of bridge decks in steady state was made by means of finite differencemethod.Finally,by taking mountain thermal spring water as a hot fluid medium,the influences of pipe- buryingdepth and pipe spacing on the temperature distribution and heat flux density of bridge decks were investigated at anambient temperature of －5℃,a surface wind speed of 2m/s and a water temperature of 15℃.The results showthat (1) there are dense isotherms and high heat flux density around buried pipes; (2) both pipe- burying depthand pipe spacing produce great impact on the distribution uniformity of deck surface temperature and heat flux den-sity; and (3) smaller pipe- burying depth and pipe spacing may result in higher deck surface temperature as well asheat flux density,and may accelerate snow melting and its velocity.Therefore,considering such comprehensivefactors as snow melting effect,construction and economy.it is suggested that pipe- burying depth should be 2 cmand pipe spacing should be 15cm.

Key words: highway engineering, bridge decks, hydrothermal snow melting, pipe- burying depth, pipe spacing