deck equipment in aerodynamic response of long-span bridges

Question

How does deck equipment (median dividers and parapets) affect the aerodynamic response of long-span bridges?

Answer 1

Bridge parapets raise the overall level of bluffness of long-span bridges. As the solidity ratio of barriers increases, the effect of the bluffness increasing also becomes more important. The major effects of deck equipment such as median dividers and parapets is that it enhances an increase in drag forces and a reduction in average value of lift force.