Flutter stability of twin-box bridge decks

The present paper reports on wind tunnel tests and analyses carried out to investigate the effect of the static angle of attack on the aerodynamic stability of a twin-box bridge deck section. It is found that the critical wind speed for onset of flutter increases with increasing positive static angles (nose-up) and that this effect relates mainly to a decrease in the loss of aerodynamic stiffness. A simplified flutter analysis, linking the slope of the static moment coefficient to the increase of flutter stability for increasing positive angles of attack. It is concluded that it is desirable to design twin-box bridge deck sections to have a positive moment coefficient at zero angle of attack and a positive, decreasing moment slope for increasing nose-up angles. With these requirements fulfilled, the present study show that the critical wind speeds for onset of flutter increase with increasing angles, and ensures that the elastically supported deck will always meet the wind at ever increasing angles for increasing wind speeds.