Aerodynamic Flow Separation Control of Bridge Deck Sections Using Plasma Actuators

In order to suppress wind-induced vibrations of bridge girders, two general methods are applied: aerodynamic and mechanical countermeasures. In this study, a new approach to suppress wind-induced vibrations, “a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator”, was investigated through wind tunnel experiments to determine its potential as a device for flow control around bridge deck sections. This approach is already in use in other fields, such as in the fluid dynamics flow control for separation control in wing surface flow. In this study, it was found that there is a possibility that DBD plasma actuators could be used in the future as the devices for suppressing wind-induced vibrations of bridge girders.