Wind-Tunnel Experiments on Vortex-Induced Vibration of Rough Bridge Cables

Surface roughness, ice accretion, and atmospheric turbulence are important issues because they can considerably alter the aerodynamic characteristics of bridge cables. The present study describes wind-tunnel experiments on vortex-induced vibrations of rough bridge cables characterized with various surface roughness and performed at various levels of atmospheric turbulence. Three different cable models were used: a smooth cylinder to represent dry cables, a helical strand cable, and a cable with modeled ice accretion. The studied parameters include the critical velocity and amplitude of vortex-induced vibration and parameter sensitivity to changes in flow turbulence and cable surface roughness. The results obtained indicate that cable roughness and turbulence of the flow have significant influences on the dynamic response of bridge cables. The experimental results indicate that the vortex-induced vibration was largest for the ice-accreted bridge cable.