On the characteristics of the aerodynamic forces caused by gusts on flat bridge decks

The strip theory approximation that assumes 2-dimensionally fluctuating wind velocity field to obtain the buffeting forces on a bridge cross-section has been used in the conventional buffeting analysis . Because the actual wind velocity varies along the bridge span and the flow over the neighbour sections has effects on the aerodynamic forces, the strip theory' approximation does not strictly hold . In this study, the actual buffeting force distribution on a model with flat hexagonal cross-section was measured and compared with the analytical result by the strip theory approximation. There were some differences and the effects of these differences on the prediction of the bridge buffeting responses are discussed .