Certain coefficients are designated, in the analytical formulation of the suspension bridge flutter problem, to provide for the aerodynamic forces of incipient flutter. A method is given for evaluating these coefficients through observation of wind tunnel model vibratory response under steady wind. Use of the method successfully reproduces the classical flutter aerodynamic coefficients of an aerofoil. When flutter coefficients are obtained by it for a model of the original Tacoma Narrows bridge, the method successfully predicts the incipient torsional flutter characteristic of this well-known structure. The paper also discusses the roles of model and prototype damping and the aerodynamic representativeness of section models relative to the full bridge.
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