Effect of Web Inclination of Streamlined Flat Box Deck on Aerostatic Performance of a Bridge

Abstract

The aerodynamic shape of the bridge deck has a significant influence on the wind resistance performance of the bridge, while the web inclination angle of the box deck plays a critical role in terms of the aerodynamic geometry. In order to investigate the effect of the web inclination angle on the aerostatic performance of the box deck and the aerostatic torsional divergence of the bridge, a series of web inclination angles (43 representative angles) were studied based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method and the nonlinear aerostatic analysis. The results showed that there was a suction zone at the junction of the bottom slab and the inclined web when the angle of the web was small, which generated a downward force and decreased the lift coefficient of the box deck. It can also be concluded that the vertical and torsional displacements of the box deck under any wind speed were effectively reduced by reducing the web inclination angle, and selecting a box deck with a lower web inclination angle can reduce the lift coefficient and drag coefficient of the box deck. Consequently, it can well improve the aerostatic performance of the bridge.