Buffeting characteristics of suspension bridges

Buffeting response of suspension bridges in the vicinity and away from flutter condition are investigated. Responses are obtained using a finite element method (FEM) and a frequency domain spectral analysis due to gustiness of the wind. The transient part of the response is obtained by solving the homogenous equation of motion. The effects of some important parameters on the buffeting response are investigated. It is shown that away from flutter condition, the transient response dies quickly and the steady state response obtained by spectral analysis is not large. In near flutter condition, the transient response becomes large, and the steady state response also becomes very large. Beyond the flutter speed, the buffeting response does not have any significance, since the transient response in this zone grows with time making the system unstable. It is also shown that the buffeting responses of the suspension bridges without considering the aeroelastic forces are generally high.