Experimental Investigation on Wind-Resistant Behavior of Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge

Abstract

Chaotianmen Yangtze River Bridge in China is a semi-supporting, steel-truss, and tied arch bridge with a main span of 552 m, marking the world’s longest center span of the same type. The wind-resistant behavior under yaw winds was investigated via wind-tunnel tests of 1:100 scale-downed full bridge aeroelastic models. The service stage and four key construction stages were considered in the tests. The tests were carried out in both smooth and simulated boundary layer wind fields with various wind yaw angles. The aeroelastic models were elaborately designed and manufactured, and the dynamic properties in every stage were investigated before the tests. The results show that the bridge has enough aerodynamic stability for all stages and different yaw wind angles, and the most unfavorable buffeting responses occur in yaw wind case with a yaw angle at 0°.