Coupled buffeting response of suspension bridges

Abstract The theoretical formulation of coupled buffeting response of suspension bridges is outlined. The influence of coupling between vertical and torsional modes on the calculated buffeting response is the main focus of this paper. The paper gives a mathematical formulation of the problem, and for a streamlined bridge girder deck section, the influence of mode coupling is illustrated. Guidelines regarding the need of including mode coupling in the calculations are given as a function of the critical flutter wind velocity of the suspension bridge in question.