Long span bridges &

dynamic structures
wind engineering & architectural aerodynamics

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Long span bridges are highly wind sensitive structures. Due to their
relative flexibility and behaviour as line-like structures they are prone
to wind driven dynamic resonance.
Over the course of their design, bridge designers are
required to verify aerodynamic stability over the full
design wind speed range not only with respect to vortex
shedding phenomena but also with respect to divergent
instabilities such as flutter and galloping.
This applies not only to the deck of the bridge but also
to supporting structures such as pylons. With ever-
increasing span of bridge decks and the implementation
of innovative design concepts such as multiple deck
arrangements and airfoil like cross-sectional shaping,
bridge designers are challenged to make reliable
predictions for dynamic wind loading and dynamic
stability for these structures, which are not well described
by applicable codes of practice.
In the case of footbridges, complex structural
arrangements in which there are non-linear interactions
between the deck and supporting structures such as
arches and pylons together with architecturally styled
Key Services
Wind climate analysis
Structural load & dynamic response analysis
Aerodynamic stability analysis
Aerodynamic solution development
Damping system simulation
Tel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224
barrier designs means that these structures require
specialist wind studies for cost-effective and safe design.
Due their relative flexibility and aerodynamic shape,
masts and so-called special structures such as spires or
antennas - like long span bridges, are highly susceptible
to wind-driven instability, which in the case of divergent
instabilities can lead to structural failure in low-cycle
fatigue.
Accordingly, in the design of these structures it is
imperative to thoroughly study dynamic wind interactions,
which can often be mitigated through aerodynamic shape
changes and/or adjustment of structural parameters such
as damping.
Detailed study of these types of structures employs
testing and wind modelling methodology that is
analogous to that used for long-span bridge deck
aerodynamics.
Key benefits
Cost-effective and safe structural design
Code compliance verification
Interactive solution development
Iterative design optimisation
Wind Climate Analysis
The specification of design wind speeds for structural, site-specific wind climate models are generated for each
serviceability and environmental design requires careful development that can also provide detailed resolution of
analysis of long-term wind statistics. BMT has access to wind directionality and probability of occurrence.
global wind record databases, which provide long-term
Where required, generic wind models are complemented
wind statistics for extreme wind events including synoptic
through detailed topography models and non-synoptic
and non-synoptic wind patterns including e.g. Typhoon,
wind pattern modelling. Wind climate studies are
Shamal, and Thunderstorm.
accepted throughout the world by local regulatory
By application of sophisticated industry-standard wind authorities as a basis of design and deliver a robust basis
models of the atmospheric boundary layer and extreme for reduction of inherent conservatism in code specified
value statistical analysis of storm records, design windspeeds.
Hurricane NOAA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Topography Model
Section model studies
In cases where the aerodynamically-driving portion
of the structure either is of constant shape or can be
approximated at such, section model testing in an
aeronautical wind tunnel provides a technically robust,
validated and cost-effective approach to quantification of
steady aerodynamic load coefficients for a full range of
wind angles by direct measurement using dynamic force
transducers.
Bridge Section Model
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Section Model Studies cont
In addition, section model studies can be carried out
using multi-degree of freedom dynamic spring mass
damper systems, which allow the dynamic properties of
the full scale structure to be imposed on the wind tunnel
model at model scale such that critical wind speeds for
occurrence of vortex shedding and divergent instability
can be directly assessed in the wind tunnel through
measurement of dynamic responses using purposely
placed accelerometers.
Section model studies are ideally suited for solution
development studies as they allow cost-effective and
time-efficient iterative testing of different aerodynamic
shapes and ranges of structural parameters e.g.
damping ratios, frequency ratios and dynamic mass.
This in turn provides designers with an opportunity
to use the wind tunnel as an interactive tool to deliver
aerodynamically optimised design solutions that comply
with performance targets.
Dynamic Response
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Section Model Mast
Vortex Strakes
Load Coefficient vs. Wind Angle
Aeroelastic Footbridge Aeroelastic Road Bridge Aeroelastic Bridge Pylon
Full Aeroelastic Model Studies
In cases where the shape of the structure is highly three-dimensional,
or where there are complex structural interactions between linked
subsystems of the structural systems (e.g. bridge deck and support
pylons) full aeroelastic modelling of the complete structure at small
scale in simulated boundary layer flow can provide robust study of
fluid / structure interactions that govern critical wind loading and
Bridge Pylon (linear mode model)
aerodynamic stability scenarios. Though this modelling approach is
significantly more involved, in terms of complexity of the wind tunnel
models that it requires, it is nevertheless a well-proven technique for
assessment of effects such as buffeting as well as dynamic instabilities,
especially when applied in conjunction with section model testing. BMT
has substantial experience and capabilities in this specialised form of
modelling, having applied it to numerous long span bridges and special
structures.
Aeroelastic Sculpture
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
BMT maintains a resourceful in-house numerical-modelling group that
specialises in the application of state-of-the-art CFD to wind engineering,
based on extensive research and development. There is an increasing
level of confidence that CFD can, at an early stage in the design of
long-span bridge design, be used to provide preliminary assessments
of the 2D aerodynamic characteristics of bridge decks, to provide initial
design guidance ahead of detailed design stages, when validation of key
performance parameters through wind tunnel testing must be regarded as
mandatory.
CFD
Email: enquiries@bmtfm.com Website: www.bmtfm.com
For further information contact:
Tel: +44 20 8614 4400 Fax: +44 20 8943 3224
Email: enquiries@bmtfm.com Website: www.bmtfm.com

BMT Fluid Mechanics Limited, 67 Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0JY, UK