Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
293639 | Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics | 2012 | 12 Pages |
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.