A new approach to registering ice covers simulated on a sectional model of a bridge stay cable in laboratory conditions

Abstract This study introduces a new approach to capturing ice shapes accreted on a full-scale model of a bridge stay cable by using the digital photogrammetry technique combined with numerical image analysis. Based on the collected data, three-dimensional finite element models were developed that mapped the obtained icing profiles. Qualitative and quantitative description of the shapes of the ice covers were formulated. As a result, new non-melting iced cable models were made for further laboratory investigations on a smaller scale of 1:1.6 using a three-dimensional printing method. Six ice covers were extracted in a climate laboratory simulating various wet icing conditions. The obtained representative icing shapes were similar to those observed in nature. This study is a valuable example of how the photogrammetry technique can be applied to register ice shapes of a bridge cable, which can then be used for further aerodynamic or aeroelastic analysis.