Due to the dynamic coupling effects of solar radiation, longwave radiation, convective heat transfer, shadows, and other factors, the temperature field and effect of steel structures are significantly non-uniform, differing from traditional concepts that regard the temperature variation of steel structures as a slow and uniform progress. This difference can hinder the correct understanding of the thermal behavior of steel structures and ignore some potential safety hazards. This paper provides a review of the studies for the non-uniform temperature field and effect of steel structures, and presents some outlooks on future developments on the basis of the current research situation. A summary of research on the temperature field and effect of space structures, bridges and radio telescopes initially establishes the basic cognitive framework for this field. In addition, then, the basic principles of the numerical simulation of temperature fields are introduced through heat transfer mechanism, and the experimental test methods of temperature and its effects are described based on typical test cases. Finally, with a view to the future, some suggestions and opinions are provided in consideration of deficiencies in the current research status. This paper hopes to provide some valuable references for future research in this field through research summary, method introduction and outlook.

The fatigue performance of an orthotropic steel bridge deck is significantly influenced by the type of the rib-to-deck connection considering the crossbeam. Fatigue fracture of the weld seam at the rib-to-deck connection has been a serious problem in such decks. In this paper, numerical models are developed for the orthotropic steel bridge decks and are analyzed for the fatigue behavior. The traction structural stress method is proven to be more accurate and effective in predicting the fatigue life. Fatigue behavior of three typical rib-to-deck connections are obtained by using traction structural stress method and by considering the effect of crossbeams. Compared to the bridge deck with weld seam of a large root, the fatigue performance of the deck with single-sided weld seam is much better with lower equivalent structural stress. The results indicate that the weld seam size should be strictly controlled for better fatigue resistance. The fatigue performance of the bridge deck with double-sided seam is significantly better than that of the bridge deck with single-sided weld seam. An increase in the thickness of the inner weld seam in the rib-to-deck connection optimizes the distribution of the equivalent structural stress and shifts the fatigue failure location from the weld root of the outer weld seam to the weld toe of the inner weld seam thus demonstrating the effect of the crossbeam. The trends of equivalent structural stress with geometric parameters of the weld seam in the rib-to-deck connection are obtained in this study. The fatigue behavior of the components and the equivalent structural stress are significantly influenced by the bridge deck thickness.

Residual stress has a three-dimensional scale effect (length, depth, and width) in the process of repair welding, which has a detrimental impact on the service of the aluminum alloy welded structures in high-speed trains. This paper aims to systematically analyze the effects of the repair welding dimension on the residual stress redistribution and obtain the optimal repair welding principles. A combination of blind-hole drilling method and stress linearization in BS7910 was adopted to investigate residual stress redistribution under various repair welding dimensions. The results indicate that repair welding dimension was in accordance with the principle of “SNL (shallow, narrow and long)” and the optimal repair length, depth, and width of butt joints in this study were 15t, 0.25t, and t, respectively (t is the plate thickness of butt joints).