Aerodynamic admittance functions and buffeting forces for bridges via indicial functions

Buffeting forces on bridge decks are commonly modelled by Sears' function. However, it is well known that Sears' function is reliable only for very streamlined bridge deck sections and that a complete model would require a suitable formulation of buffeting forces in time domain. In this paper, self-excited and buffeting loads are modelled by means of indicial functions. Corresponding aerodynamic admittance functions are numerically evaluated for rectangular sections and compared with experimental and analytical results. A complete time-domain model for cross-sections including vertical turbulence is presented. Numerical simulations are performed on a sample rectangular section. Comparison with experimental results and relevant flutter analyses are also discussed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.