Aerodynamic Effect of Non-uniform Wind Profiles for Long-Span Bridges

Abstract

Long-span bridges are often designed based on the assumption of wind field homogeneity. At the Hardanger Bridge, the wind field along the bridge span is monitored though 8 triaxial ultrasonic anemometers. Simultaneously recorded profiles for mean wind velocity and turbulence intensity along the span are used to investigate the effect of non-uniform wind profiles on the aerodynamic behaviour of the Hardanger Bridge. Extreme non-uniformity is considered using Monte Carlo simulations to generate extreme, but realistic wind profiles based on the variability of the measured wind field. When the buffeting response of the Hardanger Bridge is considered, significant effects on the behaviour is found.