Wind stability analysis of the rotating girder segment during construction of a rigid-frame bridge

With China’s rapid infrastructure development, rotating beam bridge technology is widely used for constructing bridges over existing lines and complex terrains. As spans and structural complexity increase, wind-induced instability during rotation – especially for large-span rigid frame bridges – has become a critical concern. This study investigates the wind resistance stability of a rigid frame bridge before and during rotation. Using a static gust wind load model, bending moments, friction moments, and stability coefficients under cross-bridge and longitudinal winds are analyzed, considering dynamic friction and unbalanced weights. Results show that: (1) higher dynamic friction significantly improves stability before rotation, as friction from the spherical hinge resists wind-induced overturning; (2) during rotation, lateral wind dominates cross-bridge stability, while longitudinal stability depends on both wind and unbalanced loads; (3) counterweight adjustment and high-friction coatings effectively enhance anti-overturning capacity. The findings confirm construction safety and provide valuable references for wind-resistant design in similar rotating bridge projects.