Comparative study of semi-analytical and numerical methods for aerodynamic analysis of long-span bridges

Abstract

Wind-induced vibrations commonly are the leading design criterion for long-span bridges. This article presents a comparative study between a recently developed quasi-3D turbulent Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) scheme based on the Vortex Particle Method (VPM) and various semi-analytical models based on a flat-plate aerodynamics. The models are compared under turbulent wind for various wind speeds for a 2D case including a flutter analysis. A quasi-3D turbulent analysis is also conducted. The aerodynamic coefficients are identified from a CFD analysis and compared against experimental results along with qualitative and quantitative assessment of the turbulence field.The Great Belt East Bridge was chosen as a reference object.