Effect of the Aspect Ratio of Box Girders on the Buffeting Response of Long-Span Suspension Bridges
Jingxiang Zhou1, Qiaoling Zhou1,*, Chunlian Liang1, Yulu Guo1, Zhao Xiao2, Yingfeng Xu1
1 School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
2 School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400015, China
* Corresponding Author: Qiaoling Zhou. Email: 
Structural Durability & Health Monitoring https://doi.org/10.32604/sdhm.2024.058501
Received 13 September 2024; Accepted 25 November 2024; Published online 26 December 2024
Abstract
Streamlined box girders serve as a prevalent choice for the primary structural elements in large-span suspension bridge designs. With the increase in traffic demands, the design of such girders is evolving towards wider bridge decks and larger aspect ratios (B/D). To obtain more effective and aerodynamic design shapes for streamlined box girders, it is essential to investigate the impact of B/D on their aerodynamic performance. Accordingly, in this study we investigate the buffeting responses of large-span suspension bridges using girders of varying aspect ratios (B/D of 7.5, 9.3, and 12.7). First, the aerodynamic coefficients of these girders are estimated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Subsequently, spatial finite element (FE) models of three long-span suspension bridges with different girders (B/D of 7.5, 9.3, and 12.7) are established in Ansys software, and the dynamic characteristics of these bridges are obtained. Then, the time-domain buffeting analysis is performed by simulating the fluctuating wind fields acting on the bridge through the spectral representation method. Ultimately, the buffeting responses are computed using Ansys software, and the impact of B/D on these responses is assessed. The results reveal that the root mean square (RMS) values of the main girder’s buffeting displacement are highest at the midspan position and are lowest at the ends of the bridge. A decrease in B/D of the main girder leads to a more severe buffeting response because both the range and the effective value of the displacement increase with the decreasing B/D. Comparing the buffeting displacements in three directions, B/D plays a significant role in the vertical buffeting displacement, moderately impacts the torsional displacement, and has the least effect on the lateral displacement. The findings of this study may help wind resistance analysis and design optimization for bridges.
Keywords
Long-span suspension bridge; buffeting response; aspect ratio; streamlined box girder; turbulent flow
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