Effects of aerodynamic interferences between heaving and torsional vibration of bridge decks: the case of Tacoma Narrows Bridge

There are still some unknown facts on the failure of old Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940, especially on the mystery of onset velocity of torsional flutter. In this study, the aerodynamic interferences between heaving vibration and torsional vibration on this bridge deck were investigated to explain the mystery. It became clear that there are aerodynamic interferences between vortex-induced heaving vibrations and torsional vibrations. These interferences have not only the stabilizing but also unstabilizing effects. Then, the mystery of Tacoma Narrows Bridge failure might be able to explain by the aerodynamic interference, that is, the vortex-induced heaving vibration might suppress the torsional flutter.