Wind-tunnel study of effects of geometry modification on aerodynamics of a cable-stayed bridge deck

doi:10.1016/0167-6105(87)90003-1

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Volume 26, Issue 3, 1987, Pages 325-339

https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-6105(87)90003-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

The results of a wind-tunnel study of the aerodynamic response and stability of a cable-stayed bridge deck are presented. A bridge section model was employed in smooth flow and the effects of modifying the bridge geometry were investigated.

The results showed that the original bridge deck was unstable in torsion and exhibited high, vertex-induced, vertical oscillation. Streamlining of the deck resulted in improved aerodynamic performance, with an increase in the critical wind speed for torsional flutter and decrease in the vortex-induced response.

References (5)

R.H. Scanlan
The action of flexible bridges under wind, Pt. I: Flutter theory
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(1978)
R.H. Scanlan
Recent methods in the application of test results to the wind design of long, suspended-span bridges

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Probabilistic capacity models are developed for cable-stayed bridges considering flutter and aerostatic instability failure. Additional probabilistic models for implicit design variables are also developed to make the capacity model in explicit expression of only basic design variables and model parameters. All the probabilistic models are constructed to incorporate the understanding of the physics/mechanics of the phenomena by considering existing deterministic models and to include information from experimental wind test data via correction terms. The developed models are constructed to give unbiased estimates of the capacities of interest and properly account of the relevant uncertainties. The measured capacity values from wind tunnel tests are used to construct posterior statistics of unknown model parameters through a Bayesian approach. Using the developed capacity models, fragility estimates for flutter instability failure, aerostatic instability failure and system instability failure are obtained for three example bridges. Fragility is defined in this paper as the conditional probability of failure for given wind speed demand.
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Citation Excerpt :
For this reason, it is important to consider the various stages of the deck construction when carrying out an aerodynamic study. In particular, the addition of road deck equipment, such as median dividers, railings and border beams can significantly alter the aerodynamic response of the deck (Bienkiewicz, 1987; Bruno and Mancini, 2002; Jones et al., 1995; Larsen and Wall, 2012; Wang et al., 2009). Nagao et al. (1997) studied the effects on VIV of the interference with the handrails of the flow over the curbstone, on the deck's leading edge.
The susceptibility of bridge decks to vortex induced oscillations can be addressed through wind-tunnel testing. This paper considers the case of the Vila-Real Bridge, in the north of Portugal, which has the highest deck above ground (230 m), among concrete-deck bridges cable-stayed in the central plane. It has a single-cell rectangular box girder with a wide top flange supported by regularly spaced inclined struts. Aeroelastic studies of this precise type of deck seem nonexistent in the literature.
Results of sectional model tests are presented for a selection of three distinct angles of attack and three deck configurations, including a solution, alternative to the usual mitigation measures, that solved the susceptibility to vortex induced vibration of the deck and that has no relevant additional design or building costs.
With the proposed approach, bridge designers may be able to relegate the use of sections with high aerodynamic performance – but that can be more costly, pose a greater challenge in the construction, or require more time to completion – and the use of mitigation measures, to cases in which they prove to be absolutely necessary.
The validity of 2D numerical simulations of vortical structures around a bridge deck
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This paper deals with a computational study for evaluating the capability of 2D numerical simulation for predicting the vortical structure around a quasibluff bridge deck. The laminar form, a number of BANS equation models, and the LES approach are evaluated. The study was applied to the deck section of the Great Belt East Bridge. The results are compared with wind-tunnel data and previously conducted computational simulations. Sensitivity of the results with regard to the computational approaches applied for each model is discussed. Finally, the study confirms the importance of safety-barrier modelling in the analysis of bridge aerodynamics.
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Wind-tunnel study of effects of geometry modification on aerodynamics of a cable-stayed bridge deck

Abstract

J. Sound Vib.

Recent methods in the application of test results to the wind design of long, suspended-span bridges