Buffet loading, dynamic response and aerodynamic control of a suspension bridge in a turbulent wind
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Zhao, X
Gouder, K
Graham, JMR
Limebeer, DJN
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper describes experiments relating to the buffet response and control of a section of a long-span suspension bridge deck elastically mounted as part of a wind tunnel experiment. The bridge section is subject to grid generated flow turbulence. Two grids are used — one is a standard biplanar grid, while the second is a new design that provides larger turbulence length scales. The buffet response results are compared with admittances calculated using unsteady, three-dimensional, lifting-surface theory that extends standard two-dimensional Sears׳ theory. The bridge deck heave and pitch responses are predicted with comparisons made with wind tunnel measurements. In order to suppress buffeting, and increase the deck׳s critical flutter speed, the deck model is fitted with controllable leading- and trailing-edge flaps. Two sets of passive controllers, which use the flap angles as the control inputs, are demonstrated and evaluated for their capability to suppress the buffet response of the deck and increase its critical flutter speed. The first set of controllers sense the deck׳s position (pitch angle and heave, or pitch angle alone), whilst the second set (which are mechanical controllers) sense the vertical velocity of the flap hinge points. The control system design problem is solved as a mixed H2/H∞ optimisation problem. The wind tunnel experiments show that these control systems can reduce considerably the deck׳s buffet response, whilst simultaneously increasing its critical flutter speed.
Date Issued
2016-03-17
Date Acceptance
2016-01-25
Citation
Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2016, 62, pp.384-412
ISSN
1095-8622
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
384
End Page
412
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Fluids and Structures
Volume
62
Copyright Statement
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscriopt is icensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000374601300022&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/H029982/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Engineering, Mechanical
Mechanics
Engineering
Long-span bridges
Unsteady thin aerofoil theory
Buffeting
Robust control
Flutter suppression
Performance
Design
Decks
Flow
Fluids & Plasmas
Publication Status
Published