Wind‐Induced Response of Golden Gate Bridge

Abstract

Full‐scale observation data of wind‐induced behavior of the Golden Gate Bridge from a 1962 study was extensively re‐examined by spectral analysis. The experimental investigation on the same bridge was also conducted using proposed taut strip bridge model with the simulation of natural wind turbulence at laboratory scale. The study shows that the response of the full‐scale bridge at subcritical wind speed range is predominately gust‐induced buffeting in the first asymmetric mode of vibration. As the wind speed increases, the motion shifts to a coupled torsional‐vertical instability in the first asymmetric mode of vibration. The study shows that the taut strip model in turbulent boundary layer flow is capable of simulating the full‐scale motion described in the first and second options within reasonable confidence. Conventional section model wind tunnel tests do not reveal the motion of the full‐scale bridge at subcritical wind speeds. For the prediction of full‐scale bridge behavior from the taut strip model test results, it is important to take the mode of vibration into account.