Buffetting of a Suspension Bridge by Storm Winds

Abstract

Loading of aerodynamically stable suspension bridge by storm winds is considered in 2 parts, viz, static wind loading due to steady component of wind and fluctuating loading due to vertical and horizontal components of gustiness; response to fluctuating loads is determined using statistical concepts of stationary time series; pertinent data on wind structure required in estimating response are suggested; 3300 ft span suspension bridge is analyzed as example; dynamic effects of vertical and horizontal gusts are highly significant.