M.Sc. - Learning Activity 2019: Weimar, Germany

April 6th to 13th and August 10th to 17th, 2019 at Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany

Adressed topics:

• Models for characterization of wind effects
• Numerical simulation techniques (CFD) for wind-structure-interaction problems
• Excitation phenomena in bridge aeroelasticity
• Advanced models for long-span bridge mechanical analysis (FEA-based)
• Application of numerical and semi-analytical models for wind-structure interaction analysis to predict full-scale bridge response behaviour
• Conduction of wind tunnel test (incl. preparation of small specimens)

Kick-off meeting from April 6th to 13th, 2019 at Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany

The aim of it will be:

• Introduction into the project itself as well as the individual objectives;
• Composition of the international, interdisciplinary teams and creation of the networks for the virtual activities (Group of 5 students);
• Presentation and explanation into the experimental facilities (gathering and preparation of the data; data analysis);
• First common lectures to explain the necessary background and advanced topics in experimental and civil engineering for the conduction of the project.

The project introductory week will be composed of lectures, exercises and team building measures.

Independently work over the whole summer semester:

Project closing workshop from Aug. 10th to 17th, 2019 at Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany

• blind test competition (comparison with experimental data and evaluation of analysis results);
• Finalization of common reports and presentations;
• Presentation of project teams approach`s and achieved results;
• Presentation and discussion of the experimental results;
• Additional lectures and exercises in the scientific field of the assessment and modelling of long-span cable supported bridges under wind excitation;
• treatment and procurement of the used material and derived results for future generations, further application, and consideration into the project database.

The project closing workshop week will be mainly composed of lectures, student work in groups, and presentation by the participants.

The participating M.Sc. students will have the opportunity to discuss their research interests with international experts, to create their own networks, and to look for exchange activities and external supervisors.

Upon successful completion of the report (60%), presentation (30%) and by additionally verifying the literacy (10%) the students will be awarded with the grade (1-5) and 6 ECTS credit certificate if they succeed with no less than 60%.

The objective of the course is to offer insight to the students into the assessment of long-span cable-supported bridges under wind excitation.

Students will first look at methods of modelling the structural behaviour of such bridges, specifically cable-stayed and suspension bridges, in commercial Finite Element software. The specific focus will be on determining the dynamic properties, like natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes.

In the next step, various phenomena of dynamic wind excitation will be introduced. These include turbulence-induced buffeting, vortex-induced vibrations and instabilities like flutter. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software will be introduced and applied to determine the aerodynamic properties of bridge decks. These results will be used to assess the wind excitation phenomena using various semi-analytical and numerical methods.

Basic knowledge about:

• Structural dynamics
• Structural analysis
• Fluid mechanics
• Construction and building materials
• Knowledge of English language