On the surface flow patterns and associated aerodynamics of an asymmetrical flat-box section

In this study, wind tunnel experiments were carried out in smooth flow to examine the nexus between flow patterns around a flat-box section and its aerodynamics with the variation of the wind angle of incidence (α). The model cross section closely represents the overall asymmetric geometry and attendant aerodynamics of a class of flat-box decks frequently employed in long-span bridges. To explore the flow around and associated aerodynamic properties of this model that are distinct from a typical symmetric section (e.g., rectangular), detailed wind tunnel tests involving smoke-wire based flow visualizations and synchronous multipoint pressure measurements were carried out. Experimental results were analyzed to identify flow patterns, pressure distributions and associated Strouhal numbers, power spectral densities, aerodynamic force coefficients, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analyses, and span-wise correlation. Three typical flow patterns previously observed around symmetric bluff bodies with varying α were also observed in the asymmetric cross section, i.e., the trailing-edge vortex shedding (TEVS), the impinging leading-edge vortices (ILEV), and the alternate-edge vortex shedding (AEVS). However, due to the chordwise asymmetry of the section, the three flow patterns identified are distinct from the classical ones associated with symmetric sections in terms of flow separation points, the static “stall” angle of the section, and characteristics of leading-edge vortices. The roles played by these flow patterns in the aerodynamics of the flat-box section have been identified. It is observed that, if the ILEV or AEVS governs the flow topology, the aerodynamic force coefficients vary nonlinearly with the increase in α, in contrast with the linear variation in the TEVS-dominant case. For cases in which the TEVS dominates, the POD mode participation factors of the fluctuating pressure field display energy in higher modes. In this case, the reconstruction process requires that higher POD modes are retained. Finally, in the TEVS flow pattern, a weaker spanwise correlation of the fluctuating forces is noted as compared to the ILEV and AEVS-type flows. This study is limited to the fundamental examination of asymmetric section aerodynamics in smooth flows, which should be extended in case the influences of turbulence and aeroelastic effect are of interest.