CFD SIMULATION OF SNOW DRIFTING AROUND BRIDGE DECK WITH DIFFERENT BARRIER POROSITIES

Snow drifting around a typical bridge deck was simulated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to attain the snow redistribution on the bridge deck. To verify the accuracy of the numerical model, snow drifting around a flat roof was firstly simulated. The result of the numerical simulation was compared with that of wind tunnel tests. In the simulation of snow drifting around the bridge deck, the barriers on a bridge deck were considered and snow redistributions on the bridge deck with different barrier porosities were analyzed. It is shown that when the barrier porosity is above 50%, snow could not be accumulated heavily on the bridge deck. When the barrier porosity is below 50%, snowdrift would be accumulated next to the barriers, and snow is accumulated significantly behind the windward barrier. Therefore, to mitigate the effect of wind-induced snow accumulation on a bridge deck on traffic, it is suggested that the barrier with high porosity should be used in the design of the bridge.