Wind Loads on Bridges : Analysis of a three span bridge based on theoretical methods and Eurocode 1

Abstract: The limitations lying behind the applications of EN-1991-1-4, Eurocode1, actions on structures-general actions-wind load-part 1-4, lead the structural designers to a great confusion. This may be due to the fact that EC1 only provides the guidance for bridges whose fundamental modes of vibration have a constant sign (e.g. simply supported structures) or a simple linear sign (e.g. cantilever structures) and these modes are the governing modes of vibration of the structure. EC1 analyzes only the along-wind response of the structure and does not deal with the cross wind response. The simplified methods that are recommended in this code can be used to analyze structures with simple geometrical configurations. In this report, the analytical methods which are used to describe the fluctuating wind behavior and predict the relative static and dynamic response of the structure are studied and presented. The criteria used to judge the acceptability of the wind load and the corresponding structural responses along with the serviceability considerations are also presented. Then based on the given methods the wind forces acting on a continuous bridge whose main span is larger than the 50 meters (i.e. > 50 meter requires dynamic assessment) is studied and compared with the results which could be obtained from the simplified methods recommended in the EC1.