Bridge Engineering Dr.
Pavan Kumar Emani
2.3.4 Wind loads
General formula for design wind force on bridge structures/ components:
𝐹 = 𝑝 𝐴 (𝐶 𝐺)
Where
𝑝 → 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝐴 → 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
𝐶 → 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑔/𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑡
𝐺 → 𝐺𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
Applicability: Simplified calculation of Wind load given in IRC-6 is applicable only for bridges with
individual spans upto 150 m, and pier heights upto 100 m. For longer spans or higher piers, (like
in cable-bridges, etc) rigorous wind load analysis is needed for design wind load calculation.
Factors influencing the Wind pressure: Wind pressure depends on
o Geographical location
o Terrain of the surrounding area
o Fetch of terrain
o Local topography
o Height of the bridge above the ground
o Horizontal dimensions
o Cross-section of the bridge or its elements
Design wind pressure:
o Basic wind speed (𝑉 ):
Depends on the geographical location of the structure (Fig. 10 of IRC-6: 2017)
𝑉 = 33 𝑚/𝑠 (The standard value)
= 55, 50, 47, 44, 39, 33 𝑚/𝑠 (for various zones)
o Design wind speed or hourly mean wind speed:
𝑉 = 𝑉 (𝑉 /33)
𝑉 values are given in Table12 of IRC-6: 2017
These values depend on
Average Height of the surface under consideration
The type of terrain (plain or obstructed)
o Design wind pressure or
𝑉
𝑝 =𝑝
33
𝑝 values are given in Table12 of IRC-6: 2017
The value of 𝑝 can be approximated by the following expression
12 Department of Civil Engineering | BE Civil Engineering
Bridge Engineering Dr. Pavan Kumar Emani
𝑝 = 0.6 𝑉
o Hill, ridge, escarpment or cliff: These topographies can cause acceleration or funnelling of
wind. The wind pressure shall threfore be increased by 20%
o Construction stage: For construction stage designs, only 70% of the 𝑉 value can be used
Design Wind forces on superstructure
o Directions: Superstructure shall be designed for wind forces acting in two horizontal
(transverse and longitudinal) and one vertical direction.
o Transverse wind force (𝐹 )
𝐹 = 𝑝 𝐴 (𝐶 𝐺)
Where
𝑝 = Hourly mean wind pressure in 𝑁/𝑚
𝐴 = solid area = Area of the structure seen in elevation – area of perforations
𝐺 = Gust factor = 2.0 (for structures not sensitive to dynamic effects of wind)
𝐶 = Coefficient of drag as given below
Figure Type of superstructure 𝐶
Slab bridges (b/d ≥ 10) 1.1
Intermediate values of
1.3
b/d (b/d ≥ 6)
Single beam or box-
1.5
girder (b/d ~ 2)
Multiple beam bridges
2.25
(c/d ≤ 7)
13 Department of Civil Engineering | BE Civil Engineering
Bridge Engineering Dr. Pavan Kumar Emani
Single plate girder 2.2
𝑐
2 1+
Multiple plate girders 20𝑑
≤ 4.0
Truss girder bridges
From Wind tunnel
Other shapes
studies
o Longitudinal Wind load (𝐹 )
For beam /box / plate-girder bridges
𝐹 = 0.25𝐹
For truss girder bridges
𝐹 = 0.5𝐹
o Vertical wind load
𝐹 = 𝑝 𝐴 (𝐶 𝐺)
Where
𝑝 = Hourly mean wind pressure in 𝑁/𝑚 at height H
𝐴 = area in plan in m2.
𝐺 = Gust factor = 2.0 (for structures not sensitive to dynamic effects of wind)
𝐶 = Coefficient of lift as given below
0.75
Slab, box, I-girder, plate girder bridges
Wind tunnel studies
Other types
o Wind loads should also be considered on live loads, and substructures
14 Department of Civil Engineering | BE Civil Engineering