Investigation of Wind Effects on Bridges Induced by Tornadoes for Tornado-Resistant Design – Phase II

Tornadoes have destroyed or severely damaged a number of bridges in the USA. Considering that tornadic wind loads have not been considered as a design load in the latest version (the 8th Edition, published in 2017) of the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications, in Phase I of this project starting in January, 2019, the PI has been characterizing the wind effects induced by tornadoes on bridges that do not normally experience large deformation and vibration during strong winds. That is, the bridge can assumed to be rigid in the computational domain and the wind pressure on the bridge can be determined without the consideration of the wind-bridge interaction, which is suitable for short-span or middle-span bridges. This project (Phase II) is to characterize the wind effects induced by tornadoes on those bridges whose deformation and vibration are significant under strong winds. In this case, the wind-bridge interaction will be considered and two-way coupled simulations will be conducted. This is suitable for long-span bridges, such as cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges. The obtained research findings will be used to modify the equations for calculating the design wind pressure on bridges, preventing bridges from being severely damaged or destroyed during future tornado incidents.

• Record URL:
  https://matc.unl.edu/research/research_project.php?researchID=580

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $75000
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3551747107

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Mid-America Transportation Center

  University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2200 Vine Street, PO Box 830851
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68583-0851
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla

  Department of Engineering
  202 University Center
  Rolla, MO    65409
• Principal Investigators:

  Yan, Guirong (Grace)

• Start Date: 20200101
• Expected Completion Date: 20201231
• Actual Completion Date: 20211130
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
• Source Data: RiP Project 91994-53

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge design; Deformation; Fluid dynamics; Simulation; Tornadoes; Vibration; Wind; Wind pressure; Wind resistant design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01752493
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mid-America Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: 69A3551747107
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 21 2020 4:25PM