Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Turkey
Approval Date: 2011
Student: IMAN ASHTİANİ ABDİ
Co-Supervisor: ÖZGÜR KURÇ, OĞUZ UZOL
Abstract:Long span bridges are susceptible to wind. Hence it is important to study their wind-induced vibrations to avoid any probable structural failures. In this thesis, the results of an experimental and computational investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of trapezoid bridge deck cross-sections with three different aspect ratios (10, 12 and 15) and four different side angles (75º, 60 º, 45 º and 30 º) are analyzed and presented. The flow around rigid fixed bridge deck models is investigated to obtain the relevant aerodynamic coefficients and the vortex shedding frequency and Strouhal number. Two dimensional unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved using commercial CFD software at different Reynolds numbers. The numerical results are compared with the experimental data obtained by testing the model bridge decks geometries in a low speed wind tunnel. The results of this study demonstrate that the models aerodynamic parameters except their lift coefficient are almost dependent on the aspect ratio. In addition, the influence of side angle on all aerodynamic parameters has to be taken in account.