Symmetry/Asymmetry in Bridge Engineering

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "F: Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 550

Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Bridge Engineering, Highway College, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
Interests: wind engineering; bridge engineering; computational fluid dynamics; transportation infrastructure resilience; surrogate modeling; transient aerodynamics; extreme winds; renewable energy infrastructures

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Guest Editor
Department of Road and Bridge Engineering, School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730000, China
Interests: bridge engineering; asymmetry suspension bridge; long-span suspension bridge; bridge seismic resistance; seismic resilience of bridge networks; intelligent bridge monitoring; urban bridge network

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Guest Editor
Department of Bridge Engineering, Highway College, Chang'an University, Xi'an 710064, China
Interests: bluff body aerodynamics; nonlinear aeroelasticity; wind tunnel experiment; disaster mitigation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the field of bridge engineering, symmetry and asymmetry are not merely geometric attributes but are critical factors governing structural integrity, aerodynamic stability, and mechanical behavior. While traditional design principles often prioritize symmetry for its simplified analytical models and balanced internal force distribution, modern engineering requirements—driven by complex topographical constraints and aesthetic innovations—have led to the emergence of highly sophisticated asymmetric bridge systems.

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality research papers and review articles focusing on the theoretical analysis, numerical modeling, and engineering applications of symmetry and asymmetry in bridges. A primary focus is placed on the design and calculation of asymmetric suspension bridges, including the equilibrium state analysis of asymmetric cable-pylon systems, cable-clamping effects, and secondary stress evaluations. Furthermore, the Special Issue seeks to explore the aerodynamic stability of bridges with asymmetric sections, emphasizing the "Shape-Performance Synergy Transformation" to mitigate vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and flutter. Contributions addressing seismic resilience, performance-based wind design (PBWD), and the monitoring of non-uniform structural responses under environmental actions are also highly welcomed.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: theoretical derivation and design of asymmetric suspension and cable-stayed bridges; aerodynamic optimization and shape-performance synergy of bridge girders; vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and flutter control strategies; structural response under non-uniform wind fields (e.g., downbursts, typhoons); seismic performance and reliability analysis of asymmetric bridge systems; asymmetric construction mechanics and precise control techniques; advanced numerical simulation and wind tunnel testing methodologies.

Dr. Jianming Hao
Prof. Dr. Guojun Yang
Dr. Guangzhong Gao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • asymmetric suspension bridges
  • structural symmetry & asymmetry
  • aerodynamic stability
  • shape-performance synergy
  • performance-based wind design (PBWD)
  • cable-pylon systems
  • vortex-induced vibration (VIV)
  • construction mechanics
  • numerical simulation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 12985 KB  
Article
Aerodynamic Mitigation of Vortex-Induced Vibration for a Wide Streamlined Box Girder: An Experimental Case Study
by Rujie Cao, Wenkai Du, Guangzhong Gao, Lu Yu, Hua Bai, Jianming Hao, Guojun Yang and Jiawu Li
Symmetry 2026, 18(8), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym18081293 - 29 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) poses a significant serviceability concern for wide streamlined box girders of long-span suspension bridges. This study investigates the VIV performance and aerodynamic mitigation of a wide streamlined box girder with a width-to-depth ratio (B/D) of approximately 10 through sectional model [...] Read more.
Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) poses a significant serviceability concern for wide streamlined box girders of long-span suspension bridges. This study investigates the VIV performance and aerodynamic mitigation of a wide streamlined box girder with a width-to-depth ratio (B/D) of approximately 10 through sectional model wind tunnel testing. The original cross-section was found to exhibit pronounced heaving and torsional VIV at positive wind angles of attack, with amplitudes considerably exceeding the prescribed serviceability limits. A systematic experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of three geometric parameters, i.e., wind fairing inclination angle, inspection rail position, and pedestrian railing porosity and panel arrangement, on VIV performance. Experimental results demonstrate that reducing the wind fairing inclination angle from 65° to 45° is the most effective mitigation measure. An appropriate porosity of the pedestrian railing is shown to substantially improve VIV performance. Furthermore, under equivalent overall porosity, a uniformly distributed alternation of solid and ventilated panels yields markedly superior VIV suppression compared with continuously sealed arrangements. Subsequent flutter and aerostatic wind tunnel tests confirm that the recommended cross-section preserves the favorable flutter stability and aerostatic performance of the original design. Strouhal number analysis reveals that the VIV lock-in is governed by St ≈ 0.12. Notably, the St number obtained from the pitching moment coefficient is nearly twice that obtained from the lift coefficient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry/Asymmetry in Bridge Engineering)
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