Steady-suction-based flow control of flutter of long-span bridge

The present wind tunnel study focuses on the effects of the steady-suction-based flow control method on the flutter performance of a 2DOF bridge deck section model. The suction applied to the bridge model was released from slots located at the girder bottom. The suction rates of all slots along the span were equal and constant. A series of test cases with different combinations of suction slot positions, suction intervals, and suction rates were studied in detail for the bridge deck model. The experimental results showed that the steady-suction-based flow control method could improve the flutter characteristics of the bridge deck with a maximal increase in the critical flutter speed of up to 10.5%. In addition, the flutter derivatives (FDs) of the bridge deck with or without control were compared to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of the steady-suction-based control method. According to the results, installing a suction control device helps to strengthen aerodynamic damping, which is the primary cause for enhanced flutter performance of bridge decks.