Members of our staff have directed at least 20 aerodynamic studies of bridges, including the first large scale aeroelastic wind tunnel test of a bridge in turbulent flow (Lions' Gate Bridge, 1976 and 1979), and the first "taut tube" wind-tunnel tests (SkyTrain cable-stayed bridge, 1986).
Peter Buckland of Buckland & Taylor Ltd. and Bob Wardlaw of the National Research Council's Low-speed Aerodynamics Section were awarded the Gzowski Gold Medal of the Engineering Institute of Canada for their pioneering work on setting design criteria for wind-induced vibrations of bridges (1971).
In recent years, Buckland & Taylor Ltd. has been retained specifically to improve the aerodynamics of bridges in Canada, the UK, France and Cuba, and has designed aerodynamically stable bridges for the typhoon regions of Southern China.
Buckland & Taylor Ltd. has provided aerodynamic services for the following bridges:
Lions' Gate Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Section model tests plus the largest ever full model bridge tests in turbulent wind were used to investigate proposed modifications to widen the existing
472 m main span suspension bridge.
Alex Fraser Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Tests of the final structure and various stages of the partially completed balanced cantilever were conducted.
Boca Tigris Bridge, Guandong, China. Preliminary design of 510 m bridge including wind tunnel testing.
Similkameen Ore Suspension Bridge, Princeton, BC, Canada. Wind tunnel testing of the very light, flexible section of the world's longest span conveyor bridge in joint venture with R. McLellan and Co. Ltd., 1980.
Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, SC, USA. Developed temporary cable restraints to control the buffeting response of the partially erected Cooper River Bridge in turbulent winds. The system was confirmed by aeroelastic testing of the critical erection stages in the RWDI wind Tunnel in Guelph Ontario. Wake effects from the existing Grace Memorial and the Silas Pearlman Bridges, still present during construction of the new bridge, were carefully accounted for in the modeling and testing.
For more information on our bridge engineering services, please Contact Us.
