Seasonal Environmental Effects on Structural Behaviors of a Prestressed Double-T Slab

Abstract

By analyzing the temperature-strain relationships of structural components, key structural properties, such as the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and boundary and continuity conditions of structures, can be assessed. However, these relationships can be influenced by non-structural factors such as variability of ambient environmental conditions, especially ambient temperature variations, which can obscure structural responses and complicate the identification of fundamental properties. This study presents a preliminary study on the seasonal environmental effects on structural behaviors of a prestressed slab with a double-T cross-section through a series of static and dynamic loading tests conducted at different times of the year. Embedded long-gauge strain sensors are utilized to monitor temperature and strain continuously, capturing the slab's behavior under real-world environmental variations. By analyzing the temperature-strain relationships derived from on-site loading test measurements, the study aims to evaluate how different environmental temperatures affect the structural behaviors of the prestressed double-T slab, which can reflect the structural properties, such as CTE, boundary and continuity conditions. The results demonstrate the ability of long-gauge sensors to accurately capture the slab’s strain distributions under varying loading and temperature conditions. Seasonal effects are found to significantly influence the structural behavior of the slab, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating environmental factors into structural health monitoring practices. This research offers insights into the interplay between environmental conditions and structural properties, contributing to the development of more effective monitoring and management strategies for concrete structural components under seasonal environmental effects.