Ice-shedding and aerodynamic investigations of bridge cables with steel wire meshes

Lubomir Matejicka, Christos T. Georgakis, Holger H. Koss, Philipp Egger

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    Numerous cable-supported bridges in cold climate regions are prone to seasonal ice or snow shedding, primarily from the bridge cables. Specific atmospheric conditions are required to trigger this phenomenon, which often results in dangerously sized pieces of ice or snow falling off the cables on the bridge deck below. Ice or snow shedding events that have led to bridge closures and insurance claims have been increasingly reported throughout the world in the past two decades. In this paper, a recently developed passive solution in the form of a steel wire mesh, which can be effectively used on new as well as on existing bridges, is introduced. Despite having a higher drag coefficient than the conventional helically filleted cable surface, the wire mesh is capable of retaining the ice on the surface of the cable for an extended time. This leads to prolonged ice melting and fragmentation of the ice before or during shedding, thus achieving a substantial risk reduction.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationIABSE Congress, Christchurch 2020: Resilient Technologies for Sustainable Infrastructure : Proceedings
    EditorsAnthony Abu
    PublisherInternational Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering
    Publication date2020
    Pages94-102
    ISBN (Electronic)978-385748170-3
    Publication statusPublished - 2020
    EventIABSE Congress Christchurch 2020: Resilient Technologies for Sustainable Infrastructure - Christchurch, New Zealand
    Duration: 3 Feb 20215 Feb 2021

    Conference

    ConferenceIABSE Congress Christchurch 2020
    Country/TerritoryNew Zealand
    CityChristchurch
    Period03/02/202105/02/2021

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