Vortex-Induced Vibration Analysis of Long-Span Bridges

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) arises when alternating vortices develop in the wake of a bridge deck under wind excitation, generating periodic forces that can couple with the structure’s natural frequencies. In long-span bridges, the slenderness and flexibility of the deck make them particularly susceptible to VIV, which may lead to excessive oscillations, reduced serviceability and accelerated fatigue damage. Analysis typically involves a combination of wind tunnel experiments, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and field measurements, complemented by finite-element modelling of fluid–structure interaction. Key aspects include identifying the lock-in region in which vortex shedding synchronises with structural modes, quantifying aerodynamic damping and stiffness characteristics, and assessing resonance amplitudes across a range of wind velocities and turbulence intensities. Advances in data-driven methods and intelligent monitoring have enabled real-time detection and characterisation of VIV events, informing mitigation strategies such as fairings, deflector plates and tuned mass dampers. Global research efforts emphasise the importance of bridging scales from sectional model tests to full-scale applications, thereby enhancing design codes and ensuring safety and comfort for users. Practical applications extend to sea-crossing suspension and cable-stayed bridges, where optimised cross-sectional shapes and active control measures are integrated into the design process to suppress VIV and prolong structural lifespan.

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Technical terms

Vortex shedding: The process by which alternating vortices detach from the sides of a bluff body under flow, creating oscillating forces.

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV): Self-limiting oscillations of a structure excited by periodic vortex shedding at frequencies near its natural modes.

Lock-in phenomenon: A condition in which vortex shedding frequency synchronises with a structural natural frequency, leading to sustained resonance.

Structural health monitoring (SHM): The use of sensors and data analysis to assess the integrity and dynamic behaviour of a structure in service.

Strouhal number: A dimensionless parameter relating vortex shedding frequency to flow velocity and characteristic length, fundamental to predicting VIV onset.

References

1. Vortex‐Induced Force Identification of a Long‐Span Bridge Based on Field Measurement Data. Structural Control and Health Monitoring (2023).
2. Monitoring, intelligent perception, and early warning of vortex‐induced vibration of suspension bridge. Structural Control and Health Monitoring (2022).
3. Vortex-Induced Vibration Performance Analysis of Long-Span Sea-Crossing Bridges Using Unsupervised Clustering. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2024).