Effects of deck's width-to-depth ratios and turbulent flows on the aerodynamic behaviors of long-span bridges

This study investigates the effects of a bridge deck&#39;s width-to-depth (<i>B</i>/<i>H</i>) ratio and turbulence on buffeting response and flutter critical wind speed of long-span bridges by conducting section model tests. A streamlined box section and a plate girder section, each with four <i>B</i>/<i>H</i> ratios, were tested in smooth and turbulent flows. The results show that for the box girders, the response increases with the <i>B</i>/<i>H</i> ratio, especially in the vertical direction. For the plate girders, the vertical response also increases with the <i>B</i>/<i>H</i> ratio. However, the torsional response decreases as the <i>B</i>/<i>H</i> ratio increases. Increasing the <i>B</i>/<i>H</i> ratio and intensity of turbulence tends to improve the bridge&#39;s aerodynamic stability. Experimental results obtained from the section model tests agree reasonably with the calculated results obtained from a numerical analysis.