Technical Narrative: This proposal supports collaborative research in wind engineering between Dr. Robert Scanlan of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Prem Krishna of the University of Roorkee, India. Experiments will be conducted at the Corrsin laminar flow wind tunnel at Hopkins and at the new boundary layer tunnel at Roorkee. Research will be carried out on the specific use and interpretation of bridge deck section models and building models in the respective wind tunnels. A backlog of theory developed at Hopkins on the use of flutter derivatives in determining wind stability will be used relative to section models at Roorkee and Hopkins. Together with various experiments for obtaining flutter derivatives, new techniques for interpreting the forthcoming data will be applied. The research will address determining the detailed geometric forms needed in deck models to enhance stability. Scope: This supports funding for travel of the principal investigators for exchanges at each other's base of operations and for experimental work at Roorkee. The proposed collaboration is expected to continue the development of the flutter derivatives concept which is considered a major advance in wind engineering, to extend abroad the influence of U.S. methods of long-span bridge aerodynamic design, and to lead to enhanced capabilities in both countries. In India, this research will lead to developing modelling expertise, to the improvement of design and construction techniques, technical education and to minimization of the enormous damage caused by wind storms.
