Torsional flutter mechanism of 2-D H-shaped cylinders and effect of flow turbulence

Abstract The aerodynamic instabilities, such as flutter, vortex-induced oscillation, should be investigated in order to assure bridge safety. In this study, the generation mechanism of torsional flutter for 2-D H-shaped cylinders with various slenderness ratio, B/D, is discussed through a series of wind tunnel experiments. The turbulent effect on torsional flutter is also investigated through comparison of aerodynamic response measured in flow which contains longitudinally periodical perturbations, in turbulent or in smooth flow.