Prediction of rotational instabilities of rectangular and semi-circular leading edge sections

In this paper we investigate the rotational galloping instability due to fluid/structure interaction of two bodies of the same aspect ratio but different leading edges using a previously developed algorithm [1]. This numerical technique utilises a two-dimensional spectral/hp element method and a frame of reference transformation to ensure efficient computations. Rotational motion of idealised bridge deck sections are simulated at reduced velocities of sufficient magnitude to promote galloping and divergence responses. Comparison with quasi-steady theory is found to be favourable. The differences, in terms of the flow field and resulting critical reduced velocity, between sections with rectangular and semi-circular leading edge sections are reported.