Climatic wind tunnel for full-scale bridge cable tests

Document how bridge cables respond to wind, rain and ice in a climatic wind tunnel.

As bridge technology makes it possible to construct longer and lighter bridges, the limits for bridge spans continue to expand. This development means that cables on cable-supported bridges can be exposed to strong vibrations under certain climatic conditions in wind. The need for climatic testing arises when cable response must be documented before further work on the bridge cables can continue.

Weather conditions that affect cable behaviour

The climatic wind tunnel is used to test how bridge cables respond to weather conditions such as wind, rain and ice. One challenge in cold regions is ice accretion on bridge cables, because it can affect the aerodynamic properties of the cables and create a traffic safety issue if ice falls from the cables onto the roadway. By documenting cable response under these climatic conditions, the facility provides a technical basis for assessing which measures are required in further work on bridge cables.

Ice-covered metal pipe — Close-up of a horizontal metal pipe covered with frost and icicle formations in a dark indoor environment.

Target group and benefits

Supporting bridge designers with documented cable response under climatic conditions for assessment and further bridge cable design work.

For bridge designers

The facility supports bridge designers working with cable-supported bridges when cable behaviour must be documented under climatic conditions. It is relevant when wind-induced vibration, rain exposure or ice accretion may affect cable behaviour and the aerodynamic properties of the cables. In these situations, designers need documented test results that show how the cables respond under defined climatic loading.

Documented results for further work

The tests provide realistic results and data that designers can use in further work to improve bridge cables. This gives a documented basis for technical assessment when cable response under wind, rain or ice must be understood before measures are selected. The outcome is practical support for bridge cable evaluation where climatic conditions are part of the design problem.

Discuss climatic testing of bridge cables

Contact our aerodynamics specialists to discuss testing of bridge cables in wind, rain and ice, and how documented cable response can support bridge cable assessment.

Use cases

Test bridge cables under climatic conditions in concrete scenarios that document cable response

Wind testing of bridge cables

Test bridge cables in wind to document how cables on cable-supported bridges respond when exposed to climatic loading that can trigger strong vibrations. This use case is relevant when longer spans and lighter bridge structures increase the demands placed on the cables. The results provide documented cable response for technical assessment in further bridge cable design work.

Rain and ice exposure of cables

Expose bridge cable sections to rain and ice to document how weather conditions affect cable behaviour. This use case is relevant where these climatic conditions must be assessed on full-scale cable sections to obtain reliable results. The output is realistic test data that can be used in further work on bridge cables.

Ice accretion on bridge cables

Investigate ice accretion on bridge cables in cold-region conditions where ice can change the aerodynamic properties of the cables and create a traffic safety issue if ice falls onto the roadway. This use case documents how cable behaviour changes under icing conditions and provides a basis for assessing relevant measures in further bridge cable work.

Facility specifications

Providing full-scale cable test capacity, wind speeds up to 32 m/s and controlled low temperatures.

Test section 2.0 x 2.0 x 5.0 m

Provides space for testing sections of cables in full scale. This is important because weather conditions such as rain and ice do not provide reliable results when assessed with scaled models.

Maximum wind speed 32 m/s

Makes it possible to expose bridge cables to high wind speeds so cable response can be documented under demanding climatic conditions.

Temperature to -5°C at 25 m/s

Supports combined testing with low temperature and substantial flow velocity when cable behaviour must be assessed in cold climatic conditions.

Temperature to -10°C at lower velocities

Enables testing at lower temperatures when reduced flow velocity is required for the climatic condition being assessed.

Facility designed for full-scale cables

The climatic wind tunnel is sufficiently large and designed for full-scale cable sections, making it suitable for cable studies where realistic results and data are required for further design work.

Facility setup

Configure the climatic wind tunnel for full-scale cable sections and selected climatic conditions

Full-scale cable sections

The facility is set up to accommodate sections of bridge cables in full scale. This configuration is used when the cable section itself must be exposed directly to the climatic condition being studied.

Wind conditions

The climatic wind tunnel can be configured for wind exposure as part of cable studies where aerodynamic response under climatic loading must be documented.

Low-temperature conditions

The setup can include low-temperature test conditions when cable behaviour must be studied in cold climates or in conditions where icing may occur.

Rain and ice conditions

The facility can be configured for climatic studies with rain and ice, allowing bridge cables to be exposed to the weather conditions that are part of the specific investigation.

Combined climatic loading

Wind, temperature and weather exposure can be combined in one setup when cable behaviour must be documented under interacting climatic conditions rather than as separate influences.

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Reach out to Jesper Grundsøe for more information.