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CONTENTS
Volume 10, Number 4, July 2007
 


Abstract
The lever-type active multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-AMTMD), consisting of several lever-type active tuned mass dampers (LT-ATMD), is proposed in this paper to attenuate the vibrations of long-span bridges under the excitation directly acting on the structure, rather than through the base. With resorting to the derived analytical-expressions for the dynamic magnification factors of the LT-AMTMD structure system, the performance assessment then is conducted on the LT-AMTMD with the identical stiffness and damping coefficient but unequal mass. Numerical results indicate that the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block can provide better effectiveness in reducing the vibrations of long-span bridges compared to the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at other locations. An appealing feature of the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block is that the static stretching of the spring may be freely adjusted in accordance with the practical requirements through changing the location of the support within the viable range while maintaining the same performance (including the same stroke displacement). Likewise, it is shown that the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block can further ameliorate the performance of the lever-type multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-MTMD) and has higher effectiveness than a single lever-type active tuned mass damper (LT-ATMD). Therefore, the LT-AMTMD with the actuator set at the mass block may be a better means of suppressing the vibrations of long-span bridges with the consequence of not requiring the large static stretching of the spring and possessing a desirable robustness.

Key Words
damping; vibration control; lever-type active multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-AMTMD); lever-type multiple tuned mass dampers (LT-MTMD); lever-type active tuned mass dampers (LT-ATMD); long-span bridges; parameters.

Address
Chunxiang Li; Department of Civil Engineering, Shanghai University, No.149 Yanchang Rd., Shanghai 200072, P. R. China
Bingkang Han; College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, No. 1239 Si Ping Rd., Shanghai 200092, P. R. China

Abstract
A preceding companion article introduced the slot jet approach for large-scale quasi-steady modelling of a downburst outflow. This article extends the approach to model the time-dependent features of the outflow. A two-dimensional slot jet with an actuated gate produces a gust with a dominant roll vortex. Two designs for the gate mechanism are investigated. Hot-wire anemometry velocity histories and profiles are presented. As well, a three-dimensional, subcloud numerical model is used to approximate the downdraft microphysics, and to compute stationary and translating outflows at high resolution. The evolution of the horizontal and vertical velocity components is examined. Comparison of the present experimental and numerical results with field observations is encouraging.

Key Words
downburst; microburst; outflow; localized high-intensity wind; wind tunnel; slot jet; wind loading; subcloud numerical model; cooling source.

Address
W. E. Lin; Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., N6A 5B9, Canada
L. G. Orf; Department of Geography (Meteorology), Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
E. Savory and C. Novacco; Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering,The University of Western Ontario, London, Ont., N6A 5B9, Canada

Abstract
Guyed masts subjected to turbulent winds exhibit complex vibrations featuring many vibration modes, each of which contributes to various structural responses in differing degrees. This dynamic behaviour is further complicated by nonlinear guy cable properties. While previous studies have indicated that conventional frequency domain methods can reliably reproduce load effects within the mast, the system linearization required to perform such an analysis makes it difficult to relate these results directly to corresponding guy forces. As a result, the estimation of peak load effects arising jointly from the structural action of the mast and guys, such as leg loads produced as a result of guy reactions and mast bending moments, is uncertain. A numerical study was therefore undertaken to study peak load effects in a 295 m tall guyed mast acted on by simulated turbulent wind. Responses calculated explicitly from nonlinear time domain finite element analyses were compared with approximate methods in the frequency domain for estimating peak values of selected responses, including guy tension, mast axial loads and mast leg loads. It was found that these peak dynamic load effects could be accurately estimated from frequency domain analysis results by employing simple, slightly conservative assumptions regarding the correlation of related effects.

Key Words
guyed mast; dynamic analysis; wind engineering; finite element analysis; frequency domain analysis; time domain analysis; peak load effects.

Address
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada

Abstract
A nonlinear numerical method was developed to assess the stability of suspension bridge catwalks under a wind load. A section model wind tunnel test was used to obtain a catwalk\'s aerostatic coefficients, from which the displacement-dependent wind loads were subsequently derived. The stability of a suspension bridge catwalk was analyzed on the basis of the geometric nonlinear behavior of the structure. In addition, a full model test was conducted on the catwalk, which spanned 960 m. A comparison of the displacement values between the test and the numerical simulation shows that a numerical method based on a section model test can be used to effectively and accurately evaluate the stability of a catwalk. A case study features the stability of the catwalk of the Runyang Yangtze suspension bridge, the main span of which is 1490 m. Wind can generally attack the structure from any direction. Whenever the wind comes at a yaw angle, there are six wind load components that act on the catwalk. If the yaw angle is equal to zero, the wind is normal to the catwalk (called normal wind) and the six load components are reduced to three components. Three aerostatic coefficients of the catwalk can be obtained through a section model test with traditional test equipment. However, six aerostatic coefficients of the catwalk must be acquired with the aid of special section model test equipment. A nonlinear numerical method was used study the stability of a catwalk under a yaw wind, while taking into account the six components of the displacement-dependent wind load and the geometric nonlinearity of the catwalk. The results show that when wind attacks with a slight yaw angle, the critical velocity that induces static instability of the catwalk may be lower than the critical velocity of normal wind. However, as the yaw angle of the wind becomes larger, the critical velocity increases. In the atmospheric boundary layer, the wind is turbulent and the velocity history is a random time history. The effects of turbulent wind on the stability of a catwalk are also assessed. The wind velocity fields are regarded as stationary Gaussian stochastic processes, which can be simulated by a spectral representation method. A nonlinear finite-element model set forepart and the Newmark integration method was used to calculate the wind-induced buffeting responses. The results confirm that the turbulent character of wind has little influence on the stability of the catwalk.

Key Words
catwalk; stability; nonlinear numerical method; aerostatic coefficients; wind tunnel test; turbulent wind.

Address
Research Center for Wind Engineering , Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610031, P. R. China

Abstract
The paper describes a study of the effects of structural coupling on the wind-induced response of twin tall buildings connected by a skybridge. Development of a dual high-frequency force balance used in wind tunnel investigation and background information on the methodology employed in analysis are presented. Comparisons of the wind-induced building response (rooftop acceleration) of structurally coupled and uncoupled twin buildings are provided and the influence of structural coupling is assessed. It is found that the adverse aerodynamic interference effects caused by close proximity of the buildings can be significantly reduced by the coupling. Neglecting of such interactions may lead to excessively conservative estimates of the wind-induced response of the buildings. The presented findings suggest that structural coupling should be included in wind-resistant design of twin tall buildings.

Key Words
wind-induced response; twin tall buildings; structural coupling; skybridge; dual high-frequency force balance; wind tunnel testing.

Address
Wind Engineering and Fluids Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1320, USA

Abstract
Errors in GEV analysis of wind epoch maxima from Weibull parents by R.I. Harris, Wind and Structures, Vol. 9, No. 3 (2006) 179-191. Discussion by E. Simiu

Key Words
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Address
National Institute of Standards and Technology Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8611, USA


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