Experimental and numerical evaluation of the wind load on the 516 Arouca pedestrian suspension bridge

The present work analyses the wind load effects on 516 Arouca bridge, world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge in 2020. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to model a range of angles attack between −8° and +8°. simulations were performed by solving steady-state Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with k-ω shear stress transport (SST) model. domain size analysed comparing flow behaviour for three different downstream sizes. It shown that is not greatly affected body due high opening surfaces bridge. Therefore, most appropriate considering computation time selected. carried out configurations determine influence upper guard tray deck suspended cables generated loads. numerical results validated performing tunnel tests using reduced scale prototype. predicted aerodynamic characteristics showed good agreement experimental results.