Wind tunnel study of the effect of wind barrier configurations on box girder aerodynamics and flow characteristics with different side ratios

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of wind-barrier design parameters on the aerodynamic performance of bluff box girders and the near-deck wind environment for vehicles on long-span bridges. The experimental program includes aerodynamic force measurements, two-degree-of-freedom aeroelastic tests for vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and flutter, and near-deck wind-velocity measurements to assess the impact of barrier porosity, perforation orientation, height, installation configuration, and VIV-mitigation strategies. Two box-girder sections with B/D = 3.44 and 4.98 were tested to explore the role of deck geometry. Results show that the thin girder is more sensitive to wind-barrier-induced aerodynamic effects, experiencing higher near-deck wind speeds and larger vertical VIV amplitudes. Wind barriers effectively reduce wind speeds and improve vehicle stability but may also increase drag, amplify vertical VIV, and reduce flutter stability depending on configuration and girder type. Mitigation strategies are more effective for the thick girder, with limited benefit for the thin girder. Among the configurations studied, 50%-porosity barriers provide the best balance between wind shielding and aeroelastic performance, offering reductions in wind speed while maintaining acceptable VIV and flutter margins.

Keywords

Wind barrier / Porosity ratio / Vortex-induced vibration / Box girder / Side ratio / Flutter stability

References

[1] Betkier I, Mitkow S, Kijek M. Analysis of vehicle stability loss due to strong crosswind gusts using web services in the route planning process. AoT, 2019, 52: 47-56

[2] Buljac A, Kozmar H, Pospíšil S, Macháček M. Aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of typical bridge decks equipped with wind barriers at the windward bridge deck edge. Eng Struct, 2017, 137: 310-322

[3] Buljac A, Kozmar H, Pospíšil S, Macháček M. Flutter and galloping of cable supported bridges with porous wind barriers. JWEIA, 2017, 171: 304-318

[4] Buljac A, Kozmar H, Pospíšil S, Macháček M, Kuznetsov S. Effects of wind barrier layout and wind turbulence on aerodynamic stability of cable-supported bridges. J Bridge Eng, 2020, 25: 04020102

[5] Chen N, Li Y, Wang B, Su Y, Xiang H. Effects of wind barrier on the safety of vehicles driven on bridges. JWEIA, 2015, 143: 113-127

[6] Fujii T, Maeda T, Ishida H, Imai T, Tanemoto K, Suzuki M. Wind-induced accidents of train/vehicles and their measures in Japan. QR of RTRI, 1999, 40: 50-55

[7] Fujino Y, Yoshida Y (2002) Wind-induced vibration and control of Tran-Tokyo bay crossing bridge. J Struct Eng 128. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2002)128:8(1012)

[8] He X, Xue F, Zou Y, Chen S, Han Y, Du B, Xu X, Ma B. Wind tunnel tests on the aerodynamic characteristics of vehicles on highway bridges. Adv Struct Eng, 2020, 23: 2882-2897

[9] He X, Zhou L, Chen Z, Jing H, Zou Y, Wu T (2019) Effect of wind barriers on the flow field and aerodynamic forces of a train–bridge system. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part F: J Rail Rapid Transit 233:283–297. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954409718793220

[10] Kaneko R, Kim H, Kimura K, Katsuchi H, Fujino Y (n.d.) Characteristics of crosswind based on field measurement using a moving vehicle on the Trans-Tokyo Bay Bridge. J Struct Eng 27:207–216

[11] Kim H, Fujino Y, Katsuchi H, Siringoringo DM, Yamada H, Ohkoshi S (2021) Computational fluid dynamics simulation and stability analysis of vehicle on bridge under strong winds. JSCE Ser A1. https://doi.org/10.2208/jscejseee.77.1_107

[12] Kim H, Murata R, Kaneko R, Kimura K, Katsuchi H (2023) Analysis of Crosswinds on the Box-girder Bridge with Variable Girder Height. Summaries to Technical Papers of Annual Meeting. Japan Association for Wind Engineering 2023:119. https://doi.org/10.14887/jaweam.2023.0_119

[13] Kim S, Seyedi M, Kim HK. Risk assessment of wind-induced vehicle accidents on long-span bridges using onsite wind and traffic data. J Struct Eng, 2022, 148: 04022155

[14] Kim SJ, Shim JH, Kim HK. How wind affects vehicles crossing a double-deck suspension bridge. J Wind Eng Ind Aerodyn, 2020, 206: 104329

[15] Kim YH, Yarlagadda P (2013) Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing, Engineering and Materials, Trans Tech Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4028/b-RpgE0b

[16] Lin X, Lin B, Xia D, Lin L, Yuan Z. Effects of wind barriers on wind fields and vehicle stability on bridges. Atmosphere, 2022, 13: 318

[17] Liu L, Zou Y, He X, Zhou X, Cai C, Yang J (2023) Effects of wind barriers on VIV performances of twin separated parallel decks for a long-span rail-cum-road bridge. JWEIA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2023.105367

[18] Lou P, Tao W, Cai C, He X, Zou Y, Ai Y. Influence of wind barriers with different curvatures on crosswind aerodynamic characteristics of a train-bridge system. Appl Sci, 2022, 12: 1747

[19] Procino L, Kozmar H, Bartoli G, Borsani A (2008) Wind barriers on bridges: the effect of wall porosity. Bluff bodies aerodynamics & applications

[20] Simiu E, Scanlan RH (1996) Wind Effects on Structures — Fundamentals and Applications to Design. 3rd ed., chapter 6, John Wiley & Sons, New York

[21] Telenta M, Duhovnik J, Kosel F, Šajn V (2014) Numerical and experimental study of the flow through a geometrically accurate porous wind barrier model. JWEIA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2013.11.010

[22] Wang D, Zhang Y, Sun M, Chen A. Characteristics of the wind environment above bridge deck near the pylon zone and wind barrier arrangement criteria. Appl Sci, 2020, 10: 1437

[23] Wang M, Wang Z, Qiu X, Li X, Li X. Windproof performance of wind barrier on the aerodynamic characteristics of high-speed train running on a simple supported bridge. JWEIA, 2022, 223: 104950

[24] Yang Y, Zhang J, Cao F, Ge Y, Zhao L (2022) Evaluation and improvement of wind environment and vehicle safety on long-span bridge deck under strong crosswind. JWEIA. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2022.105089

[25] Yoshida Y, Fujino Y, Tokita H, Honda A. Wind tunnel study and field measurement of vortex-induced vibration of a continuous steel box girder in Trans-Tokyo Bay Highway. Doboku Gakkai Ronbunshu, 1999, 1999: 103-117

[26] Zhang Q, Su C, Wang Y. Numerical investigation on aerodynamic performance and stability of a sedan under wind–bridge–tunnel road condition. Alex Eng J, 2020, 59: 3963-3980

[27] Zhang J, Zhang M, Huang B, Li Y, Yu J, Jiang F. Wind tunnel test on local wind field around the bridge tower of a truss girder. Adv Civil Eng, 2021, 2021: 1-13

Funding

The University of Danang, University of Science and Technology(T2025-02-11)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

The Author(s)