Extraction of rational functions by forced vibration method for time-domain analysis of long-span bridges

Cao, Bochao,Sarkar, Partha P. Techno-Press 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.16 No.6

Rational Functions are used to express the self-excited aerodynamic forces acting on a flexible structure for use in time-domain flutter analysis. The Rational Function Approximation (RFA) approach involves obtaining of these Rational Functions from the frequency-dependent flutter derivatives by using an approximation. In the past, an algorithm was developed to directly extract these Rational Functions from wind tunnel section model tests in free vibration. In this paper, an algorithm is presented for direct extraction of these Rational Functions from section model tests in forced vibration. The motivation for using forced-vibration method came from the potential use of these Rational Functions to predict aerodynamic loads and response of flexible structures at high wind speeds and in turbulent wind environment. Numerical tests were performed to verify the robustness and performance of the algorithm under different noise levels that are expected in wind tunnel data. Wind tunnel tests in one degree-of-freedom (vertical/torsional) forced vibration were performed on a streamlined bridge deck section model whose Rational Functions were compared with those obtained by free vibration for the same model.

Extraction of rational functions by forced vibration method for time-domain analysis of long-span bridges

Bochao Cao,Partha P. Sarkar 한국풍공학회 2013 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.16 No.6

Rational Functions are used to express the self-excited aerodynamic forces acting on a flexible structure for use in time-domain flutter analysis. The Rational Function Approximation (RFA) approach involves obtaining of these Rational Functions from the frequency-dependent flutter derivatives by using an approximation. In the past, an algorithm was developed to directly extract these Rational Functions from wind tunnel section model tests in free vibration. In this paper, an algorithm is presented for direct extraction of these Rational Functions from section model tests in forced vibration. The motivation for using forced-vibration method came from the potential use of these Rational Functions to predict aerodynamic loads and response of flexible structures at high wind speeds and in turbulent wind environment. Numerical tests were performed to verify the robustness and performance of the algorithm under different noise levels that are expected in wind tunnel data. Wind tunnel tests in one degree-of-freedom (vertical/torsional) forced vibration were performed on a streamlined bridge deck section model whose Rational Functions were compared with those obtained by free vibration for the same model.

Wind flow characteristics and their loading effects on flat roofs of low-rise buildings

Zhongshan Zhao,Partha P. Sarkar,Kishor C. Mehta,Fuqiang Wu 한국풍공학회 2002 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.5 No.2

Wind tunnel study of wake-induced aerodynamics of parallel stay-cables and power conductor cables in a yawed flow

Mohammad Jafari,Partha P. Sarkar 한국풍공학회 2020 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.30 No.6

Wake-induced aerodynamics of yawed circular cylinders with smooth and grooved surfaces in a tandem arrangement was studied. This pair of cylinders represent sections of stay-cables with smooth surfaces and high-voltage power conductors with grooved surfaces that are vulnerable to flow-induced structural failure. The study provides some insight for a better understanding of wake-induced loads and galloping problem of bundled cables. All experiments in this study were conducted using a pair of stationary section models of circular cylinders in a wind tunnel subjected to uniform and smooth flow. The aerodynamic force coefficients and vortex-shedding frequency of the downstream model were extracted from the surface pressure distribution. For measurement, polished aluminum tubes were used as smooth cables; and hollow tubes with a helically grooved surface were used as power conductors. The aerodynamic properties of the downstream model were captured at wind speeds of about 6-23 m/s (Reynolds number of 5×104 to 2.67×105 for smooth cable and 2×104 to 1.01×105 for grooved cable) and yaw angles ranging from 0º to 45º while the upstream model was fixed at the various spacing between the two model cylinders. The results showed that the Strouhal number of yawed cable is less than the non-yawed case at a given Reynolds number, and its value is smaller than the Strouhal number of a single cable. Additionally, compared to the single smooth cable, it was observed that there was a reduction of drag coefficient of the downstream model, but no change in a drag coefficient of the downstream grooved case in the range of Reynolds number in this study.

Wind flow characteristics and their loading effects on flat roofs of low-rise buildings

Zhao, Zhongshan,Sarkar, Partha P.,Mehta, Kishor C.,Wu, Fuqiang Techno-Press 2002 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.5 No.1

Wind flow and pressure on the roof of the Texas Tech Experimental Building are studied along with the incident wind in an effort to understand the wind-structure interaction and the mechanisms of roof pressure generation. Two distinct flow phenomena, cornering vortices and separation bubble, are investigated. It is found for the cornering vortices that the incident wind angle that favors formation of strong vortices is bounded in a range of approximately 50 degrees symmetrical about the roof-corner bisector. Peak pressures on the roof corner are produced by wind gusts approaching at wind angles conducive to strong vortex formation. A simple analytical model is established to predict fluctuating pressure coefficients on the leading roof corner from the knowledge of the mean pressure coefficients and the incident wind. For the separation bubble situation, the mean structure of the separation bubble is established. The role of incident wind turbulence in pressure-generation mechanisms for the two flow phenomena is better understood.

Laboratory investigation of the effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field

Alireza Razav,Partha P. Sarkar 한국풍공학회 2018 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.26 No.3

Translation of tornadoes is an important feature in replicating the near-ground tornado flow field which has been simulated in previous studies based on Ward-type tornado simulators using relative motion of the ground plane. In this laboratory investigation, effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field were studied using the ISU Tornado Simulator that can physically translate over a ground plane. Two translation speeds, 0.15 m/s and 0.50 m/s, that scale up to those corresponding to slowly-moving tornadoes in the field were selected for this study. Compared with the flow field of a stationary tornado, the simulated tornado with translation had an influence on the spatial distribution and magnitude of the horizontal velocities, early reversal of the radial inflow, and expansion of the core radius. Maximum horizontal velocities were observed to occur behind the center of the translating tornado and on the right side of its mean path. An increase in translation speed, resulted in reduction of maximum horizontal velocities at all heights. Comparison of the results with previous studies that used relative motion of the ground plane for simulating translating tornadoes, showed that translation has similar effects on the flow field at smaller radial distances (~2 core radius), but different effects at larger radial distances (~4 core radius). Further, it showed that the effect of translation on velocity profiles is noticeable at and above an elevation of ~0.6 core radius, unlike those in studies based on the relative motion of the ground plane.

Laboratory investigation of the effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field

Razavi, Alireza,Sarkar, Partha P. Techno-Press 2018 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.26 No.3

Translation of tornadoes is an important feature in replicating the near-ground tornado flow field which has been simulated in previous studies based on Ward-type tornado simulators using relative motion of the ground plane. In this laboratory investigation, effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field were studied using the ISU Tornado Simulator that can physically translate over a ground plane. Two translation speeds, 0.15 m/s and 0.50 m/s, that scale up to those corresponding to slowly-moving tornadoes in the field were selected for this study. Compared with the flow field of a stationary tornado, the simulated tornado with translation had an influence on the spatial distribution and magnitude of the horizontal velocities, early reversal of the radial inflow, and expansion of the core radius. Maximum horizontal velocities were observed to occur behind the center of the translating tornado and on the right side of its mean path. An increase in translation speed, resulted in reduction of maximum horizontal velocities at all heights. Comparison of the results with previous studies that used relative motion of the ground plane for simulating translating tornadoes, showed that translation has similar effects on the flow field at smaller radial distances (~2 core radius), but different effects at larger radial distances (~4 core radius). Further, it showed that the effect of translation on velocity profiles is noticeable at and above an elevation of ~0.6 core radius, unlike those in studies based on the relative motion of the ground plane.

Development of an active gust generation mechanism on a wind tunnel for wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics applications

Fred L. Haan, Jr.,Partha P. Sarkar,Nicholas J. Spencer-Berger 한국풍공학회 2006 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.9 No.5

A combination Aerodynamic/Atmospheric Boundary Layer (AABL) Wind and Gust Tunnel with a unique active gust generation capability has been developed for wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics applications. This facility is a cornerstone component of the Wind Simulation and Testing (WiST) Laboratory of the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU). The AABL Wind and Gust tunnel is primarily a closed-circuit tunnel that can be also operated in open-return mode. It is designed to accommodate two test sections (2.44 m 1.83 m and 2.44 m 2.21 m) with a maximum wind speed capability of 53 m/s. The gust generator is capable of producing non-stationary gust magnitudes around 27% of the mean flow speed. This paper describes the motivation for developing this gust generator and the work related to its design and testing.

A 3-DOF forced vibration system for time-domain aeroelastic parameter identification

Sauder, Heather Scot,Sarkar, Partha P. Techno-Press 2017 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.24 No.5

A novel three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) forced vibration system has been developed for identification of aeroelastic (self-excited) load parameters used in time-domain response analysis of wind-excited flexible structures. This system is capable of forcing sinusoidal motions on a section model of a structure that is used in wind tunnel aeroelastic studies along all three degrees of freedom - along-wind, cross-wind, and torsional - simultaneously or in any combination thereof. It utilizes three linear actuators to force vibrations at a consistent frequency but varying amplitudes between the three. This system was designed to identify all the parameters, namely, aeroelastic- damping and stiffness that appear in self-excited (motion-dependent) load formulation either in time-domain (rational functions) or frequency-domain (flutter derivatives). Relatively large displacements (at low frequencies) can be generated by the system, if required. Results from three experiments, airfoil, streamlined bridge deck and a bluff-shaped bridge deck, are presented to demonstrate the functionality and robustness of the system and its applicability to multiple cross-section types. The system will allow routine identification of aeroelastic parameters through wind tunnel tests that can be used to predict response of flexible structures in extreme and transient wind conditions.

Identification of eighteen flutter derivatives of an airfoil and a bridge deck

Chowdhury, Arindam Gan,Sarkar, Partha P. Techno-Press 2004 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.7 No.3

Wind tunnel experiments are often performed for the identification of aeroelastic parameters known as flutter derivatives that are necessary for the prediction of flutter instability for flexible structures. Experimental determination of all the eighteen flutter derivatives for a section model facilitates complete understanding of the physical mechanism of flutter. However, work in the field of identifying all the eighteen flutter derivatives using section models with all three degree-of-freedom (DOF) has been limited. In the current paper, all eighteen flutter derivatives for a streamlined bridge deck and an airfoil section model were identified by using a new system identification technique, namely, Iterative Least Squares (ILS) approach. Flutter derivatives of the current bridge and the Tsurumi bridge are compared. Flutter derivatives related to the lateral DOF have been emphasized. Pseudo-steady theory for predicting some of the flutter derivatives is verified by comparing with experimental data. The three-DOF suspension system and the electromagnetic system for providing the initial conditions for free-vibration of the section model are also discussed.