Influence of Cross-Section Details on Vortex-Induced Vibrations of Bridge Decks: Experiments and Modeling

The work includes the results of an extended wind tunnel experimental campaign on a bridge deck sectional model for different configurations. Wind tunnel tests were carried out in smooth flow in absence and presence of two different typologies of lateral traffic barriers, differing from each other in terms of amount and distribution of the openings. Static force measurements and aeroelastic tests were performed for all geometric layouts of the deck for different values of the angle of attack. The effects produced by geometric details like barriers and angle of attack variation are discussed. Test results were also employed to calibrate and discuss two mathematical approaches for VIV modeling.