Improvement of Aerodynamic Performance and Energy Supply of Bridges Using Small Wind Turbines

Abstract

This study proposes a methodology of using small wind turbines for dual purposes, improving the aerodynamic performance of flexible bridges and wind-energy harvesting. A method for the proper placement of small wind turbines on flexible bridges was proposed according to the analogy of conventional aerodynamic appendages. The effectiveness of the proposed method was investigated using the wind-tunnel tests for a bridge girder. It was found from the tests that the wind turbine attached analogously to a fairing was effective for decreasing the vortex-induced vibration of a bridge girder. The optimal spanwise interval of the wind turbines was three times the turbine diameter depending on the distance from the girder edge. The annual energy productions of the wind turbines at the bridge were evaluated from the wind velocity and its probability model at the site. The results of the current study show the general applicability of wind turbines for the improvement of aerodynamic performance and energy supply of flexible bridges, although the capacity of wind-power generation was dependent on the wind characteristics at the bridge site.