The Confederation Bridge was the subject of extensive wind tunnel studies to define the responsecharacteristics and the wind loads for design. The wind climate at the site was studied to betterdefine the wind speeds for design of the completed structure as well as loads during construction.Both section model and full aeroelastic model techniques were employed. In addition, thequestions of snow accumulation on the deck and the overturning of vehicles were examined. Theprincipal results of these studies are presented.Validation of wind tunnel model tests of long span bridges is an important component of thewind engineering of these structures. Full-scale monitoring permits a corroboration of thepredicted wind-induced responses and loads and also a confirmation of the dynamic properties ofthe structure. Few bridges have been monitored over an extended period of time, permitting thecollection of significant wind "events" in comparison with design return periods; thereforeextrapolation well beyond the annual extreme is necessary. The Confederation Bridge has anextensive array of instrumentation which has been in service since the construction of the bridgein 1997. The aims of the monitoring program at the outset were focused on the ice and trafficloads on the bridge as well as an assessment of the structural properties post-construction.However, an opportunity to assess the performance of the bridge under extreme winds and hencecompare to the design loads was presented during several winter storms of exceptional severity.The paper focuses on the performance of this bridge to strong wind and compares the observedbehaviour to the wind tunnel tests of a full aeroelastic model in addition to the development ofwind loads used for the design.
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