Aerodynamic Analysis of Simple Girder Bridges under Construction Phase

Bridge designs are becoming slender and lighter, making wind dynamic effects even more important than wind static effects. Some types of bridges show especially vulnerable situations during construction stages, when the structure is lighter or does not have its final stiffness. The aim of this document is to assess the dynamic wind loading on simple girder bridges during their construction phases. The studied section is formed by two steel beams supporting a concrete slab, but the analysis was made when the concrete slab has not been built yet. Several CFD simulations were made to find the aerodynamic parameters depending on the section’s dimensions. Three construction stages were analyzed: when only one beam is placed, when both beams are in their final locations but they are not connected yet, and when both beams are joined by the bracing. The results showed that vortex shedding effects are stronger in the along-wind direction due to the low horizontal bending stiffness of the beams and their large area perpendicular to the flow. Increasing beams’ distance is a good solution to reduce wind effects. However, closing the section with light plates was more effective, decreasing the frequency of vortex shedding and its effects.