Aerodynamic performance evaluation of different cable-stayed bridges with composite decks

Abstract

The aerodynamic performance of long-span cable-stayed bridges is much dependent on its geometrical configuration and countermeasure strategies. In present study, the aerodynamic performance of three composite cable-stayed bridges with different tower configurations and passive aerodynamic countermeasure strategies is systematically investigated by conducting a series of wind tunnel tests in conjunction with theoretical analysis. The structural characteristics of three composite bridges were firstly introduced, and then their stationary aerodynamic performance and wind-vibration performance (i.e., flutter performance, VIV performance and buffeting responses) were analyzed, respectively. The results show that the bridge with three symmetric towers (i.e., Bridge I) has the lowest natural frequencies among the three bridges, while the bridge with two symmetric towers (i.e., Bridge II) has the highest natural frequencies. Furthermore, the Bridge II has better stationary aerodynamic performance compared to two other bridges due to its relatively large drag force and lift moment coefficients, and the improvement in stationary aerodynamic performance resulting from the application of different countermeasures is limited. In contrast, it demonstrates that the application of both downward vertical central stabilizers (UDVCS) and horizontal guide plates (HGP) could potentially significantly improve the flutter and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) performance of the bridge with two asymmetric towers (i.e., Bridge III), while the combination of vertical interquartile stabilizers (VIS) and airflow-depressing boards (ADB) has the capacity of improving the VIV performance of Bridge II.