Management and correction of wind-measurement biases on long-span bridges

Abstract The wind measurements from bridge-mounted anemometers may experience speed and directional biases due to the airflow distortions induced by the surrounding bridge structure. The current work demonstrates a methodology for managing wind-velocity biases and provides recommendations regarding the placement of anemometers on bridges. The approach was applied to a set of wind-tunnel measurements acquired near a scaled bridge model. Wind measurements were acquired in smooth and turbulent flow, over relative wind directions of ±30 $$^{\circ }$$ , and for three deck configurations. The wind-vector biases and difference in turbulence intensity were used to identify regions where (1) anemometer-readings could be used directly within certain uncertainty levels, (2) where corrections could be used to recover wind readings that are within a prescribed uncertainty level, and (3) locations that may not result in reliable readings over certain wind-direction sectors, thereby limiting the useful range of an anemometer. The wind direction, the inclusion of turbulence in the wind tunnel, and the deck configuration were all found to influence the regions where anemometer readings could be used directly and those where corrections may be required. The uncertainty levels that are acceptable for the wind-vector, the range of wind directions to be considered, and the candidate anemometer locations will vary depending on operational requirements and the bridge configuration.