Dynamics of cable under wind action: Wind tunnel experimental analysis

To analyze the main characteristics of the dynamic behavior of cable under wind loading, a campaign of test was performed in a boundary-layer wind tunnel on a model of a cable. In the present paper, the results of several tests, performed both in laminar and in turbulent flow, are presented. The model of the cable consisted of segment wood cylinders connected by a steel strand. The logged data were elaborated to obtain the stochastic characteristics of the dynamic response (the first four statistical moments of the along-wind reaction at supports and axial load in the cable). The density spectra permitted to estimate the natural frequencies of the cable which were compared to analytical ones. Finally, an estimation of the cable drag coefficient at various Reynolds numbers was carried on. The experimental results were also compared with the ones of an analysis performed on a numerical model of the cable.