Comparative WWind Tunnel Testing of Bridge Road Decks

by R. L. Wardlaw, Natl Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada,
H. Tanaka, Natl Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada,
S. J. Zan, Natl Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada,
M. Savage, Natl Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada,
H. Yamada, Natl Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Bridges and Transmission Line Structures

Abstract:

A 1:75 scale full aeroelastic model of the Quincy Bridge over the Mississippi River was tested in the National Research Council of Canada 9 m multiplied by 9 m wind tunnel. Tests were done at three levels of turbulence intensity, 12%, 5% and 0. 5%. The results are compared to 1:30 scale sectional model test results for both the initial and final design of the bridge. The full model was constructed so that the road deck geometry could be easily changed or replaced by other configurations. Nine different configurations were tested. These included several road decks for which sectional model testing had already been done as part of other bridge investigations. The results confirmed what has been reported previously, that the sectional model accurately predicts critical wind speeds for torsional flutter and vortex shedding excitation and that turbulence reduces or eliminates motion caused by vortex shedding.

Subject Headings: Bridge decks | Bridge tests | Wind tunnel | Highways and roads | Aerodynamic flutter | Vortex shedding | Model accuracy | Mississippi River | Canada

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