To date, the majority of numerical modelling [computational fluid dynamics (CFD)] studies on long-span bridges have been carried out on scaled physical models, and without field-data for validation. For the first time, a full-scale bridge aerodynamic CFD study was conducted in this paper. A full-scale three-dimensional CFD model of the middle span and central tower of the Queensferry Crossing, United Kingdom, was created. The aim of this work was accurately simulating the wind field around the bridge. The CFD simulations were developed in OpenFOAM with the k − ω SST turbulence model. Atmospheric boundary layer inflows were configured based on wind profiles provided by a full-scale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. CFD predictions were validated with field data which were collected from an on-site Structural Health Monitoring System. The simulated fluctuating wind field closely satisfied the characteristic of field data and demonstrated that the modelling approach had good potential to be used in practical bridge aerodynamic studies. Meanwhile, comparisons and sensitivity analyses on mesh density provided a reference modelling approach for any future works on full-scale bridge aerodynamic models. Additionally, a cylindrical-like domain was applied in bridge aerodynamics for the first time and verified as being a convenient and reliable way to be used in bridge studies that involve changes in yaw angle.

Bridge aerodynamic studies are essential in ensuring the safety and acceptable performance of long-span bridges vulnerable to the effects of crosswinds. Aerodynamic studies were traditionally carried out in wind tunnel facilities, but there are now greater opportunities for using computational fluid dynamics modelling. Few studies of three-dimensional aerodynamic simulations of lightweight vehicles on bridges exist but there has been limited validation and verification work done to date. In the study reported in this paper, three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models were developed for the Queensferry Crossing cable-stayed bridge in Scotland, containing wind shields and sample vehicles. The models considered the wind effects from a range of yaw wind angles and subsequently determined the aerodynamic coefficients of vehicles. The models were verified by means of a mesh sensitivity study, a domain sensitivity study and comparisons with wind-tunnel test results. The models were then validated by using the same modelling process with a different type of wind shield, and again comparing results with wind-tunnel test data for the same configuration. Results demonstrated that the modelling can determine the aerodynamic coefficients to a similar level of accuracy to that of wind tunnel tests.