Validation and Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Aerodynamic Studies of Vehicle Safety on The Long-span Queensferry Crossing Bridge

The main objective of this thesis is to develop a CFD model of the Queensferry Crossing Bridge, validate the model, and then use the model to answer important operational questions. The Queensferry Crossing Bridge connects Edinburgh and Fife in Scotland. To date, the majority of CFD studies of long-span bridges have been carried out on scaled models, and without field-data for validation. Few studies examining bridge aerodynamics have been conducted at full-scale. The state-of-the-art lacks a generalized procedure for wind load estimation in computational domains that recognises the limits of computational resources and complexity for practical use. Therefore, design for wind loads via CFD is not permitted in most code provisions worldwide. The inherent difficulty in modelling non-perpendicular wind directions can be described by the more interactive turbulent structures in the wake region. This has a dramatic impact on the mesh size, in choosing the correct y+ values. Finer meshes are needed to model oblique wind attacks. It is noted that more research is needed in this area, in order to quantify these needs. The work in this thesis will directly address these shortcomings. The work of this thesis will directly address the current apprehension in adopting CFD modelling for the assessment of wind effects on long-span bridges.