Research on the aerostatic characteristics of bridge deck based on OpenFOAM

Taking an Italian cable-stayed bridge as an engineering example, the aerostatic characteristics of closed-box deck section are investigated using both wind tunnel test and CFD numerical simulation. Based on the open source code OpenFOAM, the aerostatic coefficients and pressure coefficients distribution of square section and bridge deck section under different attack angles are numerically simulated. The simulation results are compared with the experimental data from the wind tunnel test. The effects of bottom surface chamfers on the aerostatic characteristics are also studied. Furthermore, the simulated wind flow around the box deck section is carried out to explore the mechanisms of the experimental results. The results show that the aerostatic coefficients of square section and bridge deck section under different angles of attack obtained from the test and the simulation match well. The aerostatic performance of closed-box deck section can be improved by using a rounded chamfer on the bottom surface.