Intro
This plugin calculates the Peak Velocity Pressure for wind actions applied to bridge structures, based on Section 3.4 Wind Actions from the STRUCTURES DESIGN MANUAL for Highways and Railways 2013 Edition (SDM 2013), published by the Hong Kong Highways Department. It supports two calculation methods for wind-induced forces on bridges, providing detailed results for design purposes.
Version
- v1.0.0 : Plugin release
Applicable Standards
- General Use
Benefits of this plugin
Quickly and accurately analyze the impact of wind actions on the bridge structure based on uniform wind pressures and wind profiles.
- Provides accurate wind-induced forces on bridges based on SDM 2013 guidelines.
- Supports both Simplified and Full Procedures for calculating wind pressures.
- Allows for easy integration of wind pressure data into structural analysis.
- Helps visualize the impact of wind actions on the bridge structure in a clear and detailed manner.
- Can handle various bridge geometries and terrains as per SDM 2013 standards.
How to use this plugin?
- Select the load case name for wind loading : Launch the plugin and select the desired load combination from the load combination list.
- Define the Velocity Pressure Case. If no case is defined, click the button on the right (...) to add Velocity Pressure Cases.
[Veolcity Pressure Cases Dialog]
① Add : Add new velocity pressure cases
② Close : Close the dialog box
③ Modify : Modify the selected velocity pressure case data
④ Delete : Delete the selected velocity prssure case data
If you click the Add button to enter new data. you can choose between the Simplified Procedure (or Full Procedure for calculating wind-induced forces.
[Add/Modify Velocity Pressure Dialog]
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Velocity Pressure Name : Specify the Velocity Pressure Name.
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Supported Procedures : This plugin supports the Simplified Procedure as per Clause 3.4.2 and the Full Procedure as per Clause 3.4.3.
3. Review the Selected Velocity Pressure Case. The unit is kN per m²
4. Specify the Force Coefficient. Click the button on the right (...) to enable automatic calculation according to BS EN standards.
5. Specify the Structural Factor, CsCd. The reference value is 1.0 in code.
6. Select Target Elements. After selecting the beam elements to be loaded in the model, import them into the plugin.
7. Specify the direction of the loads to be applied.
8. Input Restraint Height (if needed). Enter the additional height for restraints (e.g., parapets or barriers) not included in the model.
Once the settings are complete, click the Apply button. The load is entered.
Note
Procedure Selection
Select either the Simplified Procedure or the Full Procedure based on the characteristics of the structure as per the criteria below:
Simplified Procedure (Clause 3.4.2)
Applicable to the majority of highway structures where simpler requirements suffice.
Full Procedure (Clause 3.4.3)
Designed for structures requiring a higher level of structural reliability against wind-induced failures.
Mandatory for bridges meeting any of the following criteria:
1. Bridges with any span exceeding 100m.
2. Bridges located on Strategic Routes or as designated by the Chief Highway Engineer/Bridges and Structures.
3. Bridges with a height above ground exceeding 40m.
The Dynamic Response Procedure, as outlined in Clause 3.4.4, is not addressed in this plugin.(Reference: UK NA to BS EN 1991-1-4 Clause NA.2.49)
When the Simplified Procedure is selected, the plugin provides automatically calculated Peak Wind Pressure based on the relevant criteria.
User Input and Calculation:
Users input variables from the tables provided in the standards and click the Calculate button to compute and apply the Wind Velocity Pressure.
Automatic Calculations:
The plugin handles calculations using the following tables:
Table 3.6: Wind Velocities
Table 3.7: Peak Velocity Pressure
Table 3.8: Exposure to Wind
To simplify menu navigation, the Simplified Procedure includes values from Table 3.6 Wind Velocity, as presented in Section 3.4.1 General.
In the Full Procedure mode, more detailed inputs are required to calculate the Peak Velocity Pressure or Mean Velocity Pressure. The selected tab affects which parameters are used in the calculations.
For more detailed explanations of each parameter, users can refer to the tooltips provided for each input field. These tooltips are based on the SDM2013 standard and role of each parameter in calculating wind load effects.
Conclusion
This plugin enables you to clearly understand the impact of wind actions on the bridge structure, helping engineers and designers efficiently apply the SDM 2013 guidelines for wind load analysis.