Restraint effects in portal frame bridges: Practical design methodologies and background information

This report presents methodology, results and conclusions from the PhD-project “Evaluation, modeling and handling of restraint stresses in concrete bridges”, which can be relevant for bridge designers. The project investigated thermal actions in portal frame bridges, and the widths of cracks resulting from restraint effects. The main results and conclusions are given in the summary in Swedish, while the following parts in English presents both results and conclusions, as well as the methodology.
The report is developed as a guide for practicing bridge designers on how the load case describing temperature differences between structural parts can be included in design. It also highlights the difficulties and need for further research on determining what the resulting crack widths are and how to design crack distribution reinforcement when cracking is caused by restraint effects.
An extensive summary in Swedish is also part of the report.