Experimental Investigations on Aerostatic Characteristics of Bridge Decks under Various Conditions

Abstract

Experimental evaluation of aerostatic properties of a typical streamlined bridge deck under different conditions is conducted using wind-tunnel tests. The influences of aerodynamic modification factors (including stacking loads, crash barriers, vehicles, and central slotting) on the aerostatic force coefficients are investigated in this study. These factors increase the drag force, and their influences on the lift force and torsional moment are comparatively minor. The installation eccentricities of test models in both the lateral and vertical orientations have a noticeable influence on the torsional moment. These eccentricities are measured and the effects are eliminated to improve test accuracy. The aerodynamic steady and unsteady behavior, stall angles, and Gaussian and non-Gaussian characteristics at typical attack angles and extremely large attack angles are elaborated. The unsteady fluctuations and non-Gaussian performance of the aerodynamic forces are experimentally verified to be almost negligible at small attack angles. The experimental and analytical framework presented herein provides an effective analysis tool for study of the different aerostatic characteristics of bridge decks. It sheds light on the experimental details and further the potential issues involved in characterizing actual aerostatic performance in the wind-resistant design of flexible long-span bridges.