Experimental and theoretical investigation of galloping of transversely inclined slender prisms

Galloping is characterized by large and periodical oscillations which may lead to collapse of slender structures. This study is the first attempt of a comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation of galloping of transversely inclined prisms. A modified quasi-steady model is proposed with a constant term to estimate the galloping of a transversely inclined prism, which is later experimentally investigated by conducting a static Synchronous Multi-Pressure Sensing System (SMPSS) test and an aeroelastic test in a boundary layer wind tunnel. The galloping responses of the prisms were measured in the aeroelastic test, while the aerodynamic force coefficients were determined from the SMPSS test. These experimental results were subsequently utilized to validate the quasi-steady model. Based on the proposed model, the galloping responses of the prisms were predicted and compared with the experimental results. The experimentally measured and theoretically predicted galloping responses are discussed with respect to aerodynamic damping ratios, onset galloping wind speeds, distributed pressure coefficients, point pressure spectra and vortex shedding frequencies. Interesting findings are summarized.