Aerodynamic and Aeroelastic Performance of an Irregular Bridge Tower: A Case Study

Abstract

In this paper, the aerodynamic and aeroelastic performance of the bridge tower of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge were investigated experimentally. The aerodynamic forces of the bridge tower were evaluated by using five-segment wind tunnel test models. The wind-induced dynamic response of the bridge tower in the alongwind, cross-wind, and torsional directions were tested by using an aeroelastic test model. From the wind tunnel tests, the drag, lift, and torsional force coefficients under different wind attack angles were observed and analysed. The aeroelastic phenomenon (i.e. galloping, vortex shedding) of the irregular bridge tower was evaluated. The most unfavourable case of wind-induced vibrations was analysed and checked. This study provides a way to evaluate aerodynamic and aeroelastic performance of an irregular bridge tower, and advances our understanding of the performance of the bridge tower.