The Impact of Traffic on the Aerodynamic Stability of Long-Span Bridges

Abstract

Under certain conditions, wind effects on long-span bridges can cause aeroelastic instability phenomena. Currently, the main method for studying such structures for occurrence of aeroelastic instability phenomena is experimental modelling in wind tunnels.

Experimental modelling is usually based on the assumption that the cross-sectional shape of the bridge remains unchanged over time. Obviously, such a proposal cannot be true, since the presence of vehicles on the bridge structure changes the crosssectional profile of the bridge. In this regard, it is extremely important to find out whether it is justified to ignore the change in the crosssectional profile of bridges due to the presence of traffic. The present study is aimed at obtaining, using experimental modelling in wind tunnels, a notion of the effect of changes in the cross-section of the bridge due to the presence of traffic on its aerodynamic stability.