Advanced Aeroelastic Analysis Framework for Cable-Supported Bridges under Turbulent Winds

现代缆索支撑的桥梁，类似于汽车，被设计成流线型的桥面截面，取代了更传统的桁架和箱形截面。然而，这些部分介绍了复杂的空气动力学特征，这些特征导致了与传统分析和设计实践中隐含的假设不同的行为。由于没有确凿的证据表明大气湍流对桥梁空气动力学的稳定或不稳定作用以及在阵风锋和飓风期间经历的不寻常阵风结构的作用，这一事实使情况进一步复杂化。显然，这些关键问题如果不加以解决，将对未来飓风登陆路径上规划和现有的桥梁产生重大影响。在此，建议开发一个先进的分析框架，以帮助寻求改进性能，同时增强极端风环境下桥梁的安全性和完整性。将进行实验和计算模拟，以捕捉流线型甲板剖面的空气动力学特性。与来自日本、中国和意大利的杰出桥梁专家小组建立了合作关系，以共享信息和数据。与此同时，与设计界的协同合作将确保在实践和设计标准中立即利用已开发的知识体系。该项目将在最先进的桥梁空气动力学和高效的桥面裁剪和设计方面引入革命性的进步。该项目涉及专业发展活动、广泛传播研究成果以供实际应用，以及可能产生更广泛持久影响的教育倡议。通过一个基于网络的虚拟组织，桥梁设计师将了解桥梁空气动力学的最新进展。其他涉及柔性结构的行业，如大型风力涡轮机和超高层建筑，也将受益于本项目开发的分析框架。拟议的研究承诺为受过良好训练的研究生、本科生和大学预科学生以及配备先进工具的见多识广的设计师提供强大的知识基础，以实现有远见的斜拉桥和其他风敏感结构的设计。这些活动对于保持美国在新兴的全球创新设计解决方案和这些重要结构的建造市场中的领导地位至关重要。

Modern cable-supported bridges, akin to automobiles, are being designed with streamlined deck cross-sections replacing more traditional truss and box sections. These sections, however, introduce complex aerodynamic features which result in a behavior that departs from the assumptions implied in conventional analysis and design practice. This is further complicated by the fact that there is no conclusive evidence concerning the stabilizing or destabilizing effects of atmospheric turbulence on the aerodynamics of bridges and the role of unusual gust structures experienced during gust fronts and hurricanes. Clearly, these critical issues, if unaddressed, would have strong bearing on planned and existing bridges in the future paths of landfalling hurricanes. Herein it is proposed to develop an advanced analysis framework that aids in seeking improved performance while enhancing safety and integrity of bridges in extreme wind environments. Both experimental and computational simulations will be conducted to capture the aerodynamic characteristics of streamlined deck sections. Collaborations with a distinguished group of bridge experts from Japan, China and Italy have been established for sharing of information and data. In parallel, synergistic collaborations with the design community would ensure immediate utilization of the developed body of knowledge in practice and design standards. The project would introduce transformative advances in the state-of-the-art of the bridge aerodynamics and in efficient tailoring and design of bridge decks.The project involves professional development activities, wide dissemination of research results for practical applications, and educational initiatives that are likely to have lasting broader impacts. The bridge designers will be informed of the recent advances in bridge aerodynamics through a cyber-based virtual organization. Other sectors involving flexible structures such as large wind turbines and super tall buildings would also benefit from the analysis framework to be developed in this project. The proposed study promises to provide a strong intellectual foundation supported by well-trained students at the graduate, undergraduate and pre-college levels and well-informed designers equipped with advanced tools for the visionary design of cable-supported bridges and other wind sensitive structures. These activities are essential to maintain the American leadership in the burgeoning global market for innovative design solutions and construction of these important structures.