Numerical Simulation of Aerostatic Force Coefficients of Bridge Decks Using Continuous Torsional Motion Technique

Abstract

A low-frequency continuous torsional motion technique (CTMT) is presented to efficiently extract the aerostatic force coefficients (AFCs) of bridge decks. In contrast to the conventional numerical simulations at a series of discrete angles of attack, the CTMT can conveniently obtain the continuous angle-varying AFCs. Thus, the numerical modeling labor efforts and computation time are significantly reduced. The CTMT accuracy is validated by calculating the AFCs of one flat plate and comparing it to the theoretical solutions. The AFCs of two representative deck cross sections (both streamlined and bluff) are numerically calculated and compared to those of testing results, by which the applicability and limitation of this newly developed method are examined. Due to its convenience in obtaining more ample information without losing accuracy compared to the traditional discrete technique, the CTMT is strongly recommended for future numerical simulations of AFCs of bridge decks.