One of the classical aeroelastic instabilities of slender structures is galloping, which can be characterized as a low-frequency, large-amplitude normal to the flow oscillations phenomenon.
In this paper the effects of cross-sectional shape and mean wind angle of incidence on the transverse galloping stability (according to the Glauert-Den Hartog criterion for galloping instability) of triangular cross-section bodies has been systematically analyzed through static wind tunnel experiments. Nine triangular cross-section models were tested, the angle at the main vertex, b, ranging from 101 to 901. In addition, three additional models having rounded corners have been tested, to check the impact of a modification in windward corners in modifying the flow pattern around the crosssection, facilitating eventually the reattachment of the boundary layer and narrowing therefore the width of the wake. Static tests confirm that the stability to transverse translational galloping of triangular cross-section cylinders are both cross-sectional geometry and angle of attack dependent, the potential unstable zones in the angle of attack-main vertex angle plane Γ°a; bΓ being identified.