Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

5-2021

Abstract

Wind flow over low-rise buildings in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is accompanied by some complex flow physics such as flow separation and generation of vortices in the shear layer. The uncertainties associated with such complex flow mechanisms make the case-by-case experimental or numerical investigation of buildings’ aerodynamic behavior fundamental. Engineers have aspired to replicate the full-scale real wind behavior in wind-tunnels to create more resilient infrastructures. Traditional wind-tunnel experiments struggle to accurately predict surface pressures despite being widely embraced by the structural engineering community. This limitation is attributed to the lack of large-scale turbulence and low Reynolds numbers in wind-tunnels. Such drawbacks prompted the consideration of aerodynamic testing by the open-jet concept. Open-jet experiments of building models with higher Reynolds numbers reveal the generation of higher mean and peak pressure coefficients, compared to those obtained from wind-tunnels; the findings reinforce the initial hypothesis.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

6th American Association for Wind Engineering Workshop, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA

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