Effects of Handrail Details on Vortex-Induced Vibration for a Box-Girder Bridge

Evaluating the aerodynamic instability of a bridge girder fitted with attachments such as handrails is critical for wind-resistance design long-span bridge. However, effects detailed configuration on performance have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, heaving vortex-induced vibration (VIV) box-girder was evaluated nongrid and grid-like handrail cases by free wind tunnel tests. The VIV amplitude decreased increase in porosity ratio handrails. behaviors are different from ones. For handrails, reduced number side middle horizontal bars. increasing vertical bars adverse whereas had no influence VIV. This study also provides new ideas optimization good properties simplification models evaluating process.