Field measurement of local wind environment on the approach deck of a suspension bridge in mountain terrain

Abstract

The local wind environment above the bridge deck affects the aerodynamic characteristics of vehicles, thus affecting the driving safety of the bridge deck. Influenced by the mountain topography and the bridge deck's ancillary facilities, the local wind environment above the bridge deck is complex and changeable, and its impact on the bridge deck traffic can not be ignored. In order to accurately evaluate the local wind field parameters, a monitoring system of the local wind environment is developed. Utilizing the monitoring system, wind parameters above the approach deck of a long-span suspension bridge in a mountain area are measured. The relationship of wind characteristics between the incoming flow and the wind above the bridge deck is investigated. Results show the significant difference between the local wind environment above the bridge deck and the incoming flow's characteristics; the wind profile above the bridge deck does not follow the exponential distribution; the equivalent height of the wind load on the vehicle is higher than the vehicle's gravity centre. This study is relevant for studying the local wind environment, driving safety, and serviceability of long-span bridges in mountainous areas.