Effects of wind induced vibrations on prestressed concrete bridge decks

Abstract:

Wind-induced vibrations remain a critical concern in the design and serviceability of long-span and prestressed concrete bridge decks. With increasing structural slenderness, bridges are becoming more susceptible to aerodynamic instabilities such as flutter, vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), and buffeting. Traditional wind tunnel testing, although reliable, is costly and time-intensive. Recent advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) have enabled efficient numerical prediction of aeroelastic behavior.

This review paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of experimental, analytical, and numerical studies related to wind-induced vibrations in bridge structures, with a focus on prestressed concrete decks. The role of turbulence modeling, aeroelastic coupling techniques, and geometric parameters is critically examined. Additionally, lessons from historical failures such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse are discussed to highlight the evolution of modern bridge aerodynamics.

The paper identifies key research gaps in nonlinear aeroelastic modeling, full-scale CFD validation, and mitigation strategies, providing directions for future research and safer bridge design.