Effects of bridge cable surface roughness and cross-sectional distortion on aerodynamic force coefficients

Theoretical and experimental investigations to date have assumed that bridge cables can be modeled as ideal circular cylinders and the associated aerodynamic coefficients are invariant with the wind angle-of-attack. On the other hand, bridge cables are normally characterized by local alterations of their inherent surface roughness and shape, which might present a significant disturbance for the surrounding wind flow. The present study focuses on the experimental determination, based on static wind tunnel tests, of the aerodynamic coefficients of full-scale bridge cable section models both perpendicular and inclined to the flow, for varying wind angles-of-attack. The wind tunnel test results demonstrate that the aerodynamic coefficients of bridge cables can be significantly affected by the wind angle-of-attack.

► We present static force coefficients for smooth bridge cables.
► The force coefficients are examined for varying wind angles-of-attack.
► Deviations in surface roughness and shape induce changes in critical Re coefficients.