Effect of wind barriers on aerodynamic performance and wind environment of two box girders with different side ratios

Abstract

This paper experimentally investigates the effects of wind barrier parameters including porosity, hole scheme, installation method, height and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) countermeasures on the aerodynamic responses of bluff-box girders with different side ratios and the wind flow characteristics above them. The results show that wind barriers effectively reduce the mean wind speed above the girders but intensify vertical VIV and decrease the critical wind velocity for flutter. However, the proposed countermeasures completely suppress the VIV in a certain side-ratio girder. Generally, porosity is the most crucial parameter in both the aerodynamic performance of the bridge and wind-speed reduction above the bridge while other parameters show limited effects.