A comparative study of numerical methods for fluid structure interaction analysis in long-span bridge design

Both a Finite Volume and a Discrete Vortex technique to solve the unsteady Navier-Stokesrnequations have been employed to study the air flow around long-span bridge decks. The implementationrnand calibration of both methods is described alongside a quasi-3D extension added to the DVM solver.rnApplications to the wind engineering of bridge decks include flow simulations at different angles ofrnattack, calculation of aerodynamic derivatives and fluid-structure interaction analyses. These are beingrnpresented and their specific features described. If a numerical method shall be employed in a practicalrndesign environment, it is judged not only by its accuracy but also by factors like versatility, computationalrncost and ease of use. Conclusions are drawn from the analyses to address the question of whetherrncomputer simulations can be practical design tools for the wind engineering of bridge decks.