Aerodynamic modeling for streamlined box girders using nonlinear differential equations and validation in actively generated turbulence

In classical buffeting analysis theory, aerodynamic forces are usually expressed by a linear quasi-steady formula, and they are improved by aerodynamic admittances suitable for streamlined bridge girders. Recent studies have shown that admittances change obviously with incoming flow characteristics and aerodynamic nonlinearity, such as the frequency multiplication phenomenon, and motion-induced amplitude-related aerodynamic effects cannot be ignored in some cases. To address these problems, a nonlinear condensed subsystem equation (NCSE) suitable for wind-induced aerodynamic force modeling is established in the time domain. It characterizes aerodynamic nonlinearity with series of nonlinear differential equations and data-driven parameters. The proposed framework can be used for complex aerodynamic re-illustration related to the strong nonlinearity of streamlined box girders. To validate the precision and feasibility of the framework, sectional model experiments performed on a streamlined box girder were carried out in an active turbulence generated wind tunnel in which an adjustable array of multiple fans was assisted by actively controlled vibrating wings for a 2D turbulence condition. The case study shows that the NCSE model can be used to predict nonlinear aerodynamic forces in the time and frequency domains, even under complex stochastic flow conditions. The proposed method provides an alternative way to predict possible aerodynamics based on the condition of incoming flow with sufficient accuracy, and it can illustrate multifrequency components of aerodynamic forces.