A wind tunnel test method on aerodynamic characteristics of moving vehicles under crosswinds

A new experimental investigation approach of a moving vehicle device is proposed to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of moving vehicles on bridges under crosswinds. The new moving vehicle device, which can adjust the incoming wind directions and wind attack angles, consists of a vehicle, bridge segment, and motion system etc. The motion system includes a linear module propelled by a servo motor and it can realize bidirectional motions and rapid acceleration and deceleration. The five-component coefficients of the moving vehicle model were tested with the force balance equipment, and the sensitivity of some parameters on the aerodynamic characteristics of moving vehicles is studied. The results show that the proposed moving vehicle device can provide a rather smooth guideway. The measured time histories of aerodynamic force and moment are stable after filtering and the identified aerodynamic characteristics of moving vehicles have a good consistency over different wind speeds.