Experimental study on static characteristics of the bridge deck section under simultaneous actions of wind and rain

The three influencing factors of wind–rain-induced static forces were analyzed aiming at the phenomenon of simultaneous actions of wind and rain for long-span bridge decks, based on the analysis of static load on the bridge deck. The test method for measuring the three influencing factors of wind–rain-induced static forces on a bridge deck was given. The wind–rain-induced static characteristics test was carried out in the surroundings of simultaneous actions of wind and rain built in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel, taking a separated twin-box girder bridge as research object. The experimental results display that the rainfall can increase the wind-induced drag force on the bridge deck. The wind–rain-induced drag force on the bridge deck increaes with increasing rainfall intensitis. Among the three influencting factors, the change in wind field due to rainfall and water film on the bridge deck surface has the dominant effect on the wind-induced drag force on the bridge deck section.

► Wind-rain-induced static effects on a bridge deck have three influencing factors.
► We put forward an experimental method for measuring the three factors.
► The wind-rain experiment of a bridge deck was performed to explore the three factors further.