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 a 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]