Experimental study of the effect of icing on the aerodynamics of circular cylinders - Part I: Cross flow

In this paper, the effects of ice accretion due to in-cloud icing on the aerodynamics of vertical circular cylinders is examined. Aerodynamic force coefficients with varying angle of attack were found, as a function of the wind speed; ice accretions deriving from different flow velocities and temperatures are considered. The tested cylinder is a specimen of a HDPE tube used for bridge hanger protection. The wind tunnel tests shall serve as a reference, and the results can be used for the evaluation of possible aerodynamic instability phenomena. A preliminary evaluation of possible galloping instability regions is made using the Den Hartog criterion. A short description of the accretion is given as well. A parallel paper deals with the case of circular cylinders in inclined flow.