Unsteady RANS Simulations of Flow around a Twin-Box Bridge Girder Cross Section

Wonmin Jeong, Shengnan Liu, Jasna Bogunovic Jakobsen and Muk Chen Ong
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Wonmin Jeong: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Postboks 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Shengnan Liu: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Postboks 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Jasna Bogunovic Jakobsen: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Postboks 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway
Muk Chen Ong: Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Postboks 8600 Forus, 4036 Stavanger, Norway

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-19

Abstract: The aerodynamic performance of bridge deck girders requires a thorough assessment and optimization in the design of long-span bridges. The present paper describes a numerical investigation of the aerodynamic characteristics of a twin-box bridge girder cross section in the range of angles of attack between −10.0° and +10.2°. The simulations are performed by solving 2D unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations together with the k–ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The investigated Reynolds number ( Re ) based on the free stream velocity ( U ∞ ) and the height of the deck ( D ) is 31,000. The predicted aerodynamic characteristics such as the mean drag, lift and moment coefficients, are generally in good agreement with the results from the wind tunnel tests. Changes of flow patterns and aerodynamic forces with different angles of attack are investigated. Flow characteristics during one vortex shedding period are highlighted. Relative contributions of each of the two bridge decks to the overall drag and lift coefficients, with respect to the angle of attack, are also discussed.

Keywords: URANS; CFD; twin-box deck; aerodynamics; vortex shedding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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