A New Experimental Approach to Validation of Aerodynamic Derivatives Based Model for Self-Excited Forces

A new methodology to validate Scanlan’s model for self-excited forces for bridge decks is proposed in this paper. The method is based on a new experimental setup capable of forcing a section model in a motion that resembles the actual behavior of the bridge deck in full scale. The reliability of the model involving aerodynamic derivatives identified applying the standard forced vibration procedure is validated by examining whether the model can predict self-excited forces when bridge deck is forced in the motion obtained by solving the equation of motion for the entire bridge. The bridge deck of the Hardanger Bridge is used as a case study considering flutter motion and the bridge response for a mean wind velocity of 50 m/s. The results show the aerodynamic derivatives predict the self-excited lift and pitch with high accuracy, while the self-excited drag force is underestimated.