Finite element simulation of the wind action over bridge sectional models: Application to the Guamá River Bridge (Pará State, Brazil)

The numerical simulation of the wind action over the Guamá River Bridge (Pará State, north of Brazil) is presented in this work. Aerodynamic and aeroelastic analyses performed previously by experimental techniques in a wind tunnel are reproduced now employing a numerical algorithm. The bridge is idealized by sectional models representing cross-sections at the mid-span of some design decks tested in the wind tunnel, where Jersey barriers and safety fences are also included. Two-dimensional viscous turbulent flows are simulated employing the pseudo-compressibility approach, large eddy simulation (LES), an arbitrary Lagrangean–Eulerian (ALE) formulation and an explicit two-step Taylor–Galerkin method. The finite element method (FEM) is used for space discretizations. The fluid–structure interaction is taken into account considering a partitioned coupling scheme where the fluid and structural fields are solved in a sequential way. The dynamical equilibrium equation is solved using the Newmark's Method. The simulation of the wind action over the Great Belt East Bridge is also included in order to demonstrate the applicability of the present formulation.