AERODYNAMIC STABILITY OF BRIDGES WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL DAMPING

Olga Poddaeva,Pavel Churin

doi:10.23968/2500-0055-2021-6-4-54-62

Olga Poddaeva, Pavel Churin

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.23968/2500-0055-2021-6-4-54-62

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Abstract

Introduction: Structural damping is one of the most important parameters affecting the aerodynamic stability of bridge structures. Purpose of the study: We aimed to assess the effect that structural damping of a bridge structure has on its stability in a wind current. Methods: In the course of the study, we performed experimental studies of the aerodynamic stability in typical girder bridge structures (with two and four main girders) with different levels of structural damping, facilitated by a unique experimental unit: Large Research Gradient Wind Tunnel, courtesy of the National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (NRU MGSU). Results: The results of the experimental studies show that, despite the general trend towards the decrease in the amplitude of bridge span structure oscillations as the structural damping level increases, the dependence between these parameters is nonlinear. When providing R&D support in the design of real-life structures, in case it is necessary to increase the aerodynamic stability of the superstructure by increasing the level of structural damping (changing the type of joints in structural elements, using mechanical damping devices), it is recommended to conduct experimental studies in wind tunnels to assess the effectiveness of a given solution.

Highlights

Structural damping is one of the most important parameters affecting the aerodynamic stability of bridge structures
In the modern world, experimental studies of the aerodynamic stability of large-span bridge structures are an integral part of bridge design
It is very difficult to overestimate the importance of such studies, given the number of accidents involving bridge structures that occurred due to wind impact (Bas and Catbas, 2021; Maystrenko et al, 2017; Tan et al, 2020)

Summary

Introduction

Structural damping is one of the most important parameters affecting the aerodynamic stability of bridge structures. The main methods for conducting such studies are full-scale modeling (Argentini et al, 2020; Miyata et al, 1992), studies with sectional models (Cermak, 2003; Diana et al, 2013; Reinhold et al, 1992), as well as numerical modeling in specialized software systems (Ageev et al, 2021; Diana and Omarini, 2020; Li et al, 2017) They are the subject of many works by Russian and foreign researchers, as well as of a number of regulatory documents The main similarity criteria, in this case, are the following: the Cauchy and Newton numbers (correspondence between the model’s and the real object’s distribution of masses and moments of inertia); the Scruton number (correspondence between the model’s and the real object’s logarithmic decrement of oscillations); and the Strouhal number (correspondence between the model’s and the real object’s frequency characteristics)

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