Aerodynamics of a covered pedestrian bridge of a trapezoidal section

Neighbouring offshore platforms are often connected by bridges, which are exposed to high wind forces. Many of these bridges are trapezoidal in section, a shape which has not attracted sufficient research in the past. An experimental programme investigated the pressure distribution from which lift and drag forces are evaluated. The effect of free-stream turbulence, roundness of the edges, and Reynolds number are examined. Finally, an aeroelastic model was built and the dynamic response was investigated in the range of reduced velocities from 2.5 to 8.7. The maximum amplitude of oscillation occurred at the highest reduced velocity tested.