Shaping of bridge box girders to avoid vortex shedding response

This paper presents a wind tunnel study carried out with the objective of exploring the effect of shape on vortex induced vibrations of trapezoidal box girder bridge decks. It is demonstrated that it is possible to derive a virtually vibration free deck and that the angle between the horizontal bottom plate and the inclined side panes is an important parameter in achieving this goal.

► We study vortex induced vibration of bridge deck box sections in a wind tunnel.
► The objective is to disclose guide lines for the design of a vibration free section shape.
► It appears that a bottom plate/side panel angle of 15 deg. is about optimum yielding a virtually vibration free shape.
► The 15 deg. criterion was supported by large scale tests on an actual suspension bridge design.