TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive study on mean pressure coefficient of plan-shaped tall buildings has been carried out experimentally and numerically by wind tunnel test and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation respectively.
Abstract: Due to shortage of land and architectural aesthetics, sometimes the buildings are constructed as unconventional in plan. The wind force acts differently according to the plan shape of the building. So, it is of utter importance to study wind force or, more specifically wind pressure on an unconventional plan shaped tall building. To address this issue, this paper demonstrates a comprehensive study on mean pressure coefficient of \'E\' plan shaped tall building. This study has been carried out experimentally and numerically by wind tunnel test and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation respectively. Mean wind pressures on all the faces of the building are predicted using wind tunnel test and CFD simulation varying wind incidence angles from 0 to 180 at an interval of 30. The accuracy of the numerically predicted results are measured by comparing results predicted by CFD with experimental results and it seems to have a good agreement with wind tunnel results. Besides wind pressures, wind flow patterns are also obtained by CFD for all the wind incidence angles. These flow patterns predict the behavior of pressure variation on the different faces of the building. For better comparison of the results, pressure contours on all the faces are also predicted by both the methods. Finally, polynomial expressions as the sine and cosine function of wind angle are proposed for obtaining mean wind pressure coefficient on all the faces using Fourier series expansion. The accuracy of the fitted expansions are measured by sum square error, R2 value and root mean square error.
TL;DR: In this paper, the analysis of wind-tunnel experimental errors associated with the measurement of aeroelastic coefficients of bridge decks (Scanlan flutter derivatives) is carried out by repeating the measurements and acquisitions thirty times for each wind tunnel speed and configuration of the model.
Abstract: The objective of the investigation is the analysis of wind-tunnel experimental errors, associated with the measurement of aeroelastic coefficients of bridge decks (Scanlan flutter derivatives). A two-degree-of-freedom experimental apparatus is used for the measurement of flutter derivatives. A section model of a closed-box bridge deck is considered in this investigation. Identification is based on free-vibration aeroelastic tests and the Iterative Least Squares method. Experimental error investigation is carried out by repeating the measurements and acquisitions thirty times for each wind tunnel speed and configuration of the model. This operational procedure is proposed for analyzing the experimental variability of flutter derivatives. Several statistical quantities are examined; these quantities include the standard deviation and the empirical probability density function of the flutter derivatives at each wind speed. Moreover, the critical flutter speed of the setup is evaluated according to standard flutter theory by accounting for experimental variability. Since the probability distribution of flutter derivatives and critical flutter speed does not seem to obey a standard theoretical model, polynomial chaos expansion is proposed and used to represent the experimental variability.
TL;DR: In this article, a free vibration analysis of size-dependent functionally graded (FG) nanobeams with all surface effects considerations on the basis of modified couple stress theory is presented, where the material properties of FG nanobeam are assumed to vary according to power law distribution.
Abstract: This paper presents a free vibration analysis of size-dependent functionally graded (FG) nanobeams with all surface effects considerations on the basis of modified couple stress theory. The material properties of FG nanobeam are assumed to vary according to power law distribution. Based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, the modeled nanobeam and its equations of motion are derived using Hamilton\'s principle. An analytical method is used to discretize the model and the equation of motion. The model is validated by comparing the benchmark results with the obtained results. Results show that the vibration behavior of a nanobeam is significantly influenced by surface density, surface tension and surface elasticity. Also, it is shown that by increasing the beam size, influence of surface effect reduces to zero, and the natural frequency tends to its classical value.
TL;DR: In this article, a numerical study on the flow characteristics of a rectangular cylinder mounted close to a rigid wall at gap-to-width ratios G/W = 0.25 - 6.25 was conducted.
Abstract: A numerical study is conducted on the flow characteristics of a rectangular cylinder (chord-to-width ratio C/W = 2 - 10) mounted close to a rigid wall at gap-to-width ratios G/W = 0.25 - 6.25. The effects of G/W and C/W on the Strouhal number, vortex structure, and time-mean drag and lift forces are examined. The results reveal that both G/W and C/W have strong influences on vortex structure, which significantly affects the forces on the cylinder. An increase in G/W leads to four different flow regimes, namely no vortex street flow (G/W 2.5). Both Strouhal number and time-mean drag are more sensitive to C/W than to G/W. For a given G/W, Strouhal number grows with C/W while time-mean drag decays with C/W, the growth and decay being large between C/W = 2 and 4. The time-mean drag is largest in the single-row vortex street regime, contributed by a large pressure on the front surface, regardless of C/W. A higher C/W, in general, leads to a higher time-mean lift. The maximum time-mean lift occurs for C/W = 10 at G/W = 0.75, while the minimum time-mean lift appears for C/W = 2 at the same G/W. The impact of C/W on the time-mean lift is more substantial in single-row vortex regime. The effect of G/W on the time-mean lift is larger at a larger C/W.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field were studied using the ISU Tornado Simulator that can physically translate over a ground plane, and two translation speeds, 0.15 m/s and 0.50 m /s, that scale up to those corresponding to slowly-moving tornadoes in the field were selected for this study.
Abstract: Translation of tornadoes is an important feature in replicating the near-ground tornado flow field which has been simulated in previous studies based on Ward-type tornado simulators using relative motion of the ground plane. In this laboratory investigation, effects of translation on the near-ground tornado flow field were studied using the ISU Tornado Simulator that can physically translate over a ground plane. Two translation speeds, 0.15 m/s and 0.50 m/s, that scale up to those corresponding to slowly-moving tornadoes in the field were selected for this study. Compared with the flow field of a stationary tornado, the simulated tornado with translation had an influence on the spatial distribution and magnitude of the horizontal velocities, early reversal of the radial inflow, and expansion of the core radius. Maximum horizontal velocities were observed to occur behind the center of the translating tornado and on the right side of its mean path. An increase in translation speed, resulted in reduction of maximum horizontal velocities at all heights. Comparison of the results with previous studies that used relative motion of the ground plane for simulating translating tornadoes, showed that translation has similar effects on the flow field at smaller radial distances (~2 core radius), but different effects at larger radial distances (~4 core radius). Further, it showed that the effect of translation on velocity profiles is noticeable at and above an elevation of ~0.6 core radius, unlike those in studies based on the relative motion of the ground plane.
TL;DR: Experiments were conducted in a large-scale Ward-type tornado simulator to study tornado-like vortices as discussed by the authors, where flow velocities and the pressures at the surface beneath the vortex were measured and an interpretation of these measurements enabled an assessment of the mean flow field and the mean and fluctuating characteristics of the surface pressure deficit.
Abstract: Experiments were conducted in a large-scale Ward-type tornado simulator to study tornado-like vortices Both flow velocities and the pressures at the surface beneath the vortices were measured An interpretation of these measurements enabled an assessment of the mean flow field as well as the mean and fluctuating characteristics of the surface pressure deficit, which is a manifestation of the flow fluctuation aloft An emphasis was placed on the effect of the aspect ratio of the tornado simulator on the characteristics of the simulated flow and the corresponding surface pressure deficit, especially the evolution of these characteristics due to the transition of the flow from a single-celled vortex to a two-celled vortex with increasing swirl ratio
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of material distribution such as power-law exponents, porosity coefficients, nonlinear effects on the static behavior of functionally graded beams are examined and discussed with porosity effects.
Abstract: In this paper, geometrically non-linear analysis of a functionally graded simple supported beam is investigated with porosity effect. The material properties of the beam are assumed to vary though height direction according to a prescribed power-law distributions with different porosity models. In the nonlinear kinematic model of the beam, the total Lagrangian approach is used within Timoshenko beam theory. In the solution of the nonlinear problem, the finite element method is used in conjunction with the Newton-Raphson method. In the study, the effects of material distribution such as power-law exponents, porosity coefficients, nonlinear effects on the static behavior of functionally graded beams are examined and discussed with porosity effects. The difference between the geometrically linear and nonlinear analysis of functionally graded porous beam is investigated in detail. Also, the effects of the different porosity models on the functionally graded beams are investigated both linear and nonlinear cases.
TL;DR: In this paper, a finite square prism with a width D = 15 mm and a height H = 7D was vertically mounted on a horizontal flat plate and the Reynolds number was varied from 6.5X103 to 28.5x103 and the incidence angle a was changed from 0 to 45.
Abstract: Wake characteristics of the flow over a finite square prism at different incidence angles were experimentally investigated using an open-loop wind tunnel. A finite square prism with a width D = 15 mm and a height H = 7D was vertically mounted on a horizontal flat plate. The Reynolds number was varied from 6.5X103 to 28.5X103 and the incidence angle a was changed from 0 to 45. The ratio of boundary layer thickness to the prism height was about s/H = 7%. The time-averaged velocity, turbulence intensity and the vortex shedding frequency were obtained through a single-component hotwire probe. Power spectrum of the streamwise velocity fluctuations revealed that the tip and base vortices shed at the same frequency as that of spanwise vortices. Furthermore, the results showed that the critical incidence angle corresponding to the maximum Strouhal number and minimum wake width occurs at acr = 15o which is equal to that reported for an infinite prism. There is a reduction in the size of the wake region along the height of the prism when moving away from the ground plane towards the free end.
TL;DR: In this paper, the first aeroelastic test for a multi-span transmission line under simulated downburst has been conducted at the UWO, where the experimental results showed a very good agreement between the critical configurations of the downburst obtained from the experiment compared to those predicted previously by different numerical studies.
Abstract: At the University of Western Ontario (UWO), numerical tools represented in semi-closed form solution for the conductors and finite element modeling of the lattice tower were developed and utilized significantly to assess the behavior of transmission lines under downburst wind fields. Although these tools were validated against other finite element analyses, it is essential to validate the findings of those tools using experimental data. This paper reports the first aeroelastic test for a multi-span transmission line under simulated downburst. The test has been conducted at the three-dimensional wind testing facility, the WindEEE dome, located at the UWO. The experiment considers various downburst locations with respect to the transmission line system. Responses obtained from the experiment are analyzed in the current study to identify the critical downburst locations causing maximum internal forces in the structure (i.e., potential failure modes), which are compared with the failure modes obtained from the numerical tools. In addition, a quantitative comparison between the measured critical responses obtained from the experiment with critical responses obtained from the numerical tools is also conducted. The study shows a very good agreement between the critical configurations of the downburst obtained from the experiment compared to those predicted previously by different numerical studies. In addition, the structural responses obtained from the experiment and those obtained from the numerical tools are in a good agreement where a maximum difference of 16% is found for the mean responses and 25% for the peak responses.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of a tornado on a prism and a dome building was analyzed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for both straight line and straight-line (SL) wind.
Abstract: Tornadoes are vertical swirling air formed because of the existence of layers of air with contrasting features of temperature, wind flow, moisture, and density. Tornadoes induce completely different wind forces than a straight-line (SL) wind. A suitably designed building for an SL wind may fail when exposed to a tornado-wind of the same wind speed. It is necessary to design buildings that are more resistant to tornadoes. In tornado-damaged areas, dome buildings seem to have less damage. As a dome structure is naturally wind resistant, domes have been used in back yards, as single family homes, as in-law quarters, man caves, game rooms, storm shelters, etc. However, little attention has been paid to the tornadic wind interactions with dome buildings. In this work, the tornado forces on a dome are computed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for tornadic and SL wind. Then, the interaction of a tornado with a dome and a prism building are compared and analyzed. This work describes the results of the tornado wind effect on dome and prism buildings. The conclusions drawn from this study are illustrated in visualizations. The tornado force coefficients on a dome building are larger than SL wind forces, about 120% more in x- and y-directions and 280% more in z-direction. The tornado maximum pressure coefficients are also higher than SL wind by 150%. The tornado force coefficients on the prism are larger than the forces on the dome, about 100% more in x- and y-directions, and about 180% more in z-direction. The tornado maximum pressure coefficients on prism also are greater those on dome by 150% more. Hence, a dome building has less tornadic load than a prism because of its aerodynamic shape.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the characteristics of the combined wind field produced by the natural wind field and the train-induced wind field on the bridge, the aerodynamic models of train and bridge are established and the overset mesh technology is applied to simulate the movement of high-speed train.
Abstract: To investigate the characteristics of the combined wind field produced by the natural wind field and the train-induced wind field on the bridge, the aerodynamic models of train and bridge are established and the overset mesh technology is applied to simulate the movement of high-speed train. Based on ten study cases with various crosswind velocities of 0~20 m/s and train speeds of 200~350 km/h, the distributions of combined wind velocities at monitoring points around the train and the pressure on the car-body surface are analyzed. Meanwhile, the difference between the train-induced wind fields calculated by static train model and moving train model is compared. The results show that under non-crosswind condition, the train-induced wind velocity increases with the train speed while decreases with the distance to the train. Under the crosswind, the combined wind velocity is mainly controlled by the crosswind, and slightly increases with the train speed. In the combined wind field, the peak pressure zone on the headstock surface moves from the nose area to the windward side with the increase of wind velocity. The moving train model is more applicable in analyzing the train induced wind field.
TL;DR: In this paper, a flexible flag behind a D-shape cylinder in a uniform viscous flow was simulated by using the immersed boundary method (IBM) along with low-speed wind tunnel experimentation.
Abstract: Inspired by the energy harvesting eel, a flexible flag behind a D-shape cylinder in a uniform viscous flow was simulated by using the immersed boundary method (IBM) along with low-speed wind tunnel experimentation. The flag in the wake of the cylinder was strongly influenced by the vortices shed from the upstream cylinder under the vortex-vortex and vortex-body interactions. Geometric and flow parameters were optimized for the flexible flag subjected to passive flapping. The influence of length and bending coefficient of the flexible flag, the diameters (D) of the cylinder and the streamwise spacing between the cylinder and the flag, on the energy generation was examined. Constructive and destructive vortex interaction modes, unidirectional and bidirectional bending and the different flapping frequency were found which explained the variations in the energy of the downstream flag. Voltage output and flapping behavior of the flag were also observed experimentally to find a more direct relationship between the bending of the flag and its power generation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution with time-dependent location and scale parameters was selected as a non-stationary model to describe the corrected extreme wind speed series.
Abstract: Extreme wind speed analysis has been carried out conventionally by assuming the extreme series data is stationary. However, time-varying trends of the extreme wind speed series could be detected at many surface meteorological stations in China. Two main reasons, exposure change and climate change, were provided to explain the temporal trends of daily maximum wind speed and annual maximum wind speed series data, recorded at Hangzhou (China) meteorological station. After making a correction on wind speed series for time varying exposure, it is necessary to perform non-stationary statistical modeling on the corrected extreme wind speed data series in addition to the classical extreme value analysis. The generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution with time-dependent location and scale parameters was selected as a non-stationary model to describe the corrected extreme wind speed series. The obtained non-stationary extreme value models were then used to estimate the non-stationary extreme wind speed quantiles with various mean recurrence intervals (MRIs) considering changing climate, and compared to the corresponding stationary ones with various MRIs for the Hangzhou area in China. The results indicate that the non-stationary property or dependence of extreme wind speed data should be carefully evaluated and reflected in the determination of design wind speeds.
TL;DR: In this paper, a numerical study based on a delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) is conducted to investigate the aerodynamic mechanism behind the suppression of vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of twin box girders by central grids, which have an inhibition effect on VIVs, as evidenced by the results of section model wind tunnel tests.
Abstract: A numerical study based on a delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) is conducted to investigate the aerodynamic mechanism behind the suppression of vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of twin box girders by central grids, which have an inhibition effect on VIVs, as evidenced by the results of section model wind tunnel tests. The mean aerodynamic force coefficients with different attack angles are compared with experimental results to validate the numerical method. Next, the flow structures around the deck and the aerodynamic forces on the deck are analyzed to enhance the understanding of the occurrence of VIVs and the suppression of VIVs by the application of central grids. The results show that shear layers are separated from the upper railings and lower overhaul track of the upstream girder and induce large-scale vortices in the gap that cause periodical lift forces of large amplitude acting on the downstream girder, resulting in VIVs of the bridge deck. However, the VIVs are apparently suppressed by the central grids because the vortices in the central gap are reduced into smaller vortices and become weaker, causing slightly fluctuating lift forces on the deck. In addition, the mean lift force on the deck is mainly caused by the upstream girder, whereas the fluctuating lift force is mainly caused by the downstream girder.
TL;DR: In this article, the aerodynamic characteristics of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) were evaluated and discussed in terms of measured data in existing onshore wind farm, and five wind turbines (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) were selected, and hub-height wind speed, UD, wind turbine power output, P and turbine rotational speed,
Abstract: In this study, aerodynamic characteristics of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) were evaluated and discussed in terms of measured data in existing onshore wind farm. Five wind turbines (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) were selected, and hub-height wind speed, UD, wind turbine power output, P and turbine rotational speed,
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper presented a method for estimating the reliability index and failure probability due to flutter, which considers the very important variables including the extreme wind velocity at bridge site, damping ratio, mathematical modeling, and flutter derivatives.
Abstract: With the continuous increase of span lengths, modern bridges are becoming much more flexible and more prone to flutter under wind excitations. A reasonable probabilistic flutter analysis of long-span bridges involving random and uncertain variables may have to be taken into consideration. This paper presents a method for estimating the reliability index and failure probability due to flutter, which considers the very important variables including the extreme wind velocity at bridge site, damping ratio, mathematical modeling, and flutter derivatives. The Aizhai Bridge in China is selected as an example to demonstrate the numerical procedure for the flutter reliability analysis. In the presented method, the joint probability density function of wind speed and wind direction at the deck level of the bridge is first established. Then, based on the fundamental theories of structural reliability, the reliability index and failure probability due to flutter of the Aizhai Bridge is investigated by applying the Monte Carlo method and the first order reliability method (FORM). The probabilistic flutter analysis can provide a guideline in the design of long-span bridges and the results show that the structural damping and flutter derivatives have significant effects on the flutter reliability, more accurate and reliable data of which is needed.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple first-order shear deformation theory is presented for dynamic behavior of functionally graded beams, which has strong similarities with the classical beam theory in many aspects such as equations of motion, boundary conditions, and stress resultant expressions.
Abstract: In this paper, a simple first-order shear deformation theory is presented for dynamic behavior of functionally graded beams. Unlike the existing first-order shear deformation theory, the present one contains only three unknowns and has strong similarities with the classical beam theory in many aspects such as equations of motion, boundary conditions, and stress resultant expressions. Equations of motion and boundary conditions are derived from Hamilton\' s s principle. Analytical solutions of simply supported FG beam are obtained and the results are compared with Euler-Bernoulli beam and the other shear deformation beam theory results. Comparison studies show that this new first-order shear deformation theory can achieve the same accuracy of the existing first-order shear deformation theory.
TL;DR: In this paper, the typical existing transmission tower-line system subjected to synoptic winds (atmospheric boundary layer winds) was evaluated and the effects from possible corrosion penetration on the structural members of the transmission towers and the aerodynamic damping force on the conductors were evaluated.
Abstract: The physical infrastructure of the power systems, including the high-voltage transmission towers and lines as well as the poles and wires for power distribution at a lower voltage level, is critical for the resilience of the community since the failures or nonfunctioning of these structures could introduce large area power outages under the extreme weather events. In the current engineering practices, single circuit lattice steel towers linked by transmission lines are widely used to form power transmission systems. After years of service and continues interactions with natural and built environment, progressive damages accumulate at various structural details and could gradually change the structural performance. This study is to evaluate the typical existing transmission tower-line system subjected to synoptic winds (atmospheric boundary layer winds). Effects from the possible corrosion penetration on the structural members of the transmission towers and the aerodynamic damping force on the conductors are evaluated. However, corrosion in connections is not included. Meanwhile, corrosion on the structural members is assumed to be evenly distributed. Wind loads are calculated based on the codes used for synoptic winds and the wind tunnel experiments were carried out to obtain the drag coefficients for different panels of the transmission towers as well as for the transmission lines. Sensitivity analysis is carried out based upon the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) to evaluate the structural capacity of the transmission tower-line system for different corrosion and loading conditions. Meanwhile, extreme value analysis is also performed to further estimate the short-term extreme response of the transmission tower-line system.
TL;DR: In this paper, stress distribution for a structurally stable greenhouse is considered in the present paper with subsequent investigation into the detailed stress distribution contour with the variation of self-weight and wind pressure level designation method under wind velocity of less than 30 m/sec.
Abstract: In this paper, stress distribution for a structurally stable greenhouse is considered in the present paper with subsequent investigation into the detailed stress distribution contour with the variation of self-weight and wind pressure level designation method under wind velocity of less than 30 m/sec. For reliable analysis, wind pressure coefficients of a single greenhouse unit were modeled and compared with experiment with correlation coefficient greater than 0.99. Wind load level was designated twofold: direct mapping of fluid dynamic analysis and conversion of modeled results into wind pressure coefficients (CP). Finally, design criteria of EN1991-1-4 and NEN3859 were applied in terms of their wind pressure coefficients for comparison. CP of CFD result was low in the most of the modeled area but was high only in the first roof wind facing and the last lee facing areas. Besides, structural analysis results were similar in terms of stress distribution as per EN and direct mapping while NEN revealed higher level of stress for the last roof area. The maximum stress levels are arranged in decreasing order of mapping, EN, and NEN, generating 8% error observed between the EN and mapping results under 30 m/sec of wind velocity. On the other hand, effect of dead weight on the stress distribution was investigated via variation of high stress position with wind velocity, confirming shift of such position from the center to the forward head wind direction. The sensitivity of stress for wind velocity was less than 0.8% and negligible at wind velocity greater than 20 m/sec, thus eliminating self-weight effect.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the rationality and irrationality of the extension of the wind loads calculated by the ASCE 7-10 to the light-frame wood residential buildings that represent the most vulnerable structures under extreme wind conditions.
Abstract: The design wind pressure for low-rise buildings in the ASCE 7-10 is defined by procedures that are categorized into the Main Wind Force-Resisting System (MWFRS) and the Components and Cladding (C&C). Some of these procedures were originally developed based on steel portal frames of industrial buildings, while the residential structures are a completely different structural system, most of which are designed as low-rise light-frame wood constructions. The purpose of this study is to discuss the rationality (or irrationality) of the extension of the wind loads calculated by the ASCE 7-10 to the light-frame wood residential buildings that represent the most vulnerable structures under extreme wind conditions. To serve this purpose, the same approach as used in the development of Chapter 28 of the ASCE 7-10 that envelops peak responses is adopted in the present study. Database-assisted design (DAD) methodology is used by applying the dynamic wind loads from Louisiana State University (LSU) database on a typical residential building model to assess the applicability of the standard by comparing the induced responses. Rather than the postulated critical member demands on the industrial building such as the bending moments at the knee, the maximum values at the critical points for wood frame buildings under wind loads are used as indicators for the comparison. Then, the critical members are identified through these indicators in terms of the displacement or the uplift force at connections and roof envelope. As a result, some situations for each of the ASCE 7 procedures yielding unconservative wind loads on the typical low-rise residential building are identified.
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive data analysis procedure is presented, in which time domain and frequency domain based analyses are carried out, and some vibrations such as wind and rain induced vibration are detected.
Abstract: For a long cable-stayed bridge, stay cables are its most important load-carrying components. In this paper, long-term monitoring of super-long stay cables of Sutong Bridge is introduced. A comprehensive data analysis procedure is presented, in which time domain and frequency domain based analyses are carried out. In time domain, the vibration data of several long stay cables are firstly analyzed and the standard deviation of the acceleration of stay cables, and its variation with time are obtained, as well as the relationship between in-plane vibration and out-plane vibration. Meanwhile, some vibrations such as wind and rain induced vibration are detected. Through frequency domain analysis, the basic frequencies of the stay cables are identified. Furthermore, the axial forces and their statistical parameters are acquired. To investigate the vibration deflection, an FFT-based decomposition method is used to get the modal deflection. In the end, the relationship between the vibration amplitude of stay cables and the wind speed is investigated based on correlation analysis. Through the adopted procedure, some structural parameters of the stay cables have been derived, which can be used for evaluating the component performance and corresponding management of stay cables.
TL;DR: In this article, numerical simulations were performed to reproduce tornado-like vortices using both Ward-type and ISU-type tornado simulators, from which the effects of rotating downdraft on the vortex characteristics were clarified.
Abstract: Appropriate modeling of a tornado-like vortex is a prerequisite when studying the near-ground wind characteristics of a tornado and tornado-induced wind loads on structures. Both Ward- and ISU-type tornado simulators employ guide vanes to induce angular momentum to converge flow in order to generate tornado-like vortices. But in the Ward-type simulator, the guide vanes are mounted near the ground while in the ISU-type they are located at a high position to allow vertical circulation of flow that creates a rotating downdraft to generate a tornado-like vortex. In this study, numerical simulations were performed to reproduce tornado-like vortices using both Ward-type and ISU-type tornado simulators, from which the effects of rotating downdraft on the vortex characteristics were clarified. Particular attention was devoted to the wander of tornado-like vortices, and their dependences on swirl ratio and fetch length were investigated. The present study showed that the dynamic vortex structure depends significantly on the vortex-generating mechanism, although the time- averaged structure remains similar. This feature should be taken into consideration when tornado-like-vortex simulators are utilized to investigate tornado-induced wind forces on structures.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared numerical predictions of self-excited forces with measured forces from wind tunnel tests considering the flutter vibration mode of the Hardanger Bridge and determined the critical velocity and the corresponding flutter vibrations of the bridge using the classical multimode approach.
Abstract: The prediction of multimode flutter relies, to a larger extent than bimodal flutter, on accurate modeling of the self-excited forces since it is challenging to perform experimental validation by using aeroelastic tests for a multimode case. This paper sheds some light on the accuracy of predicted self-excited forces by comparing numerical predictions of self-excited forces with measured forces from wind tunnel tests considering the flutter vibration mode. The critical velocity and the corresponding flutter vibration mode of the Hardanger Bridge are first determined using the classical multimode approach. Then, a section model of the bridge is forced to undergo a motion corresponding to the flutter vibration mode at selected points along the bridge, during which the forces that act upon it are measured. The measured self-excited forces are compared with numerical predictions to assess the uncertainty involved in the modeling. The self-excited lift and pitching moment are captured in an excellent manner by the aerodynamic derivatives. The self-excited drag force is, on the other hand, not well represented since second-order effects dominate. However, the self-excited drag force is very small for the cross-section considered, making its influence on the critical velocity marginal. The self-excited drag force can, however, be of higher importance for other cross-sections.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of different testing parameters (configuration of infrastructure and truck position on road) on truck aerodynamic coefficients under cross wind conditions, by means of a numerical approach known as Large Eddy Simulation (LES).
Abstract: This paper describes the effect of different testing parameters (configuration of infrastructure and truck position on road) on truck aerodynamic coefficients under cross wind conditions, by means of a numerical approach known as Large Eddy Simulation (LES). In order to estimate the air flow behaviour around both the infrastructure and the truck, the filtered continuity and momentum equations along with the Smagorinsky–Lilly model were solved. A solution for these non-linear equations was approached through the finite volume method (FVM) and using temporal and spatial discretization schemes. As for the results, the aerodynamic coefficients acting on the truck model exhibited nearly constant values regardless of the Reynolds number. The flat ground is the infrastructure where the rollover coefficient acting on the truck model showed lowest values under cross wind conditions (yaw angle of 90), while the worst infrastructure studied for vehicle stability was an embankment with downward-slope on the leeward side. The position of the truck on the road and the value of embankment slope angle that minimizes the rollover coefficient were determined by successfully applying the Response Surface Methodology.
TL;DR: In this paper, the aerodynamic stability of a tensioned, geometrically nonlinear orthotropic membrane structure with hyperbolic paraboloid in sag direction is investigated.
Abstract: This paper studies the aerodynamic stability of a tensioned, geometrically nonlinear orthotropic membrane structure with hyperbolic paraboloid in sag direction. Considering flow separation, the wind field around membrane structure is simulated as the superposition of a uniform flow and a continuous vortex layer. By the potential flow theory in fluid mechanics and the thin airfoil theory in aerodynamics, aerodynamic pressure acting on membrane surface can be determined. And based on the large amplitude theory of membrane and D\'Alembert\'s principle, interaction governing equations of wind-structure are established. Then, under the circumstance of single-mode response, the Bubnov-Galerkin approximate method is applied to transform the complicated interaction governing equations into a system of second-order nonlinear differential equation with constant coefficients. Through judging the frequency characteristic of the system characteristic equation, the critical velocity of divergence instability is determined. Different parameter analysis shows that the orthotropy, geometrical nonlinearity and scantling of structure is significant for preventing destructive aerodynamic instability in membrane structures. Compared to the model without considering flow separation, it\'s basically consistent about the divergence instability regularities in the flow separation model.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used wind tunnel tests to assess the shielding provided by a row of low-rise or medium-rise buildings upstream a square-section tall building of height-to-breadth ratio 6.
Abstract: Wind loading of a tall building built amidst a group of buildings in urban environment is always greatly affected by shielding effects. Wind tunnel tests were carried out to assess the shielding provided by a row of low-rise or medium-rise buildings upstream a square-section tall building of height-to-breadth ratio 6. Mean and dynamic wind loads on the tall building were measured at different wind incidence angles and presented as interference factors (IFs). It is found that presence of a row of upstream buildings provides significant shielding to the tall building. At normal wind incidence, the mean along-wind loads and all components of fluctuating wind loads on the tall building are always reduced by shielding. Vortex shedding seems to still occur on the upper exposed part of the tall building but the vortex excitation levels are largely reduced. The degree of shielding is found to depend on a number of arrangement parameters of the row of upstream buildings. Empirical equations are proposed to quantify the shielding effect based on the wind tunnel data.
TL;DR: In this article, 3D simulations based on an impinging jet were carried out to investigate the flow field of a steady downburst and its effects on a high-rise building by applying the SST k-w turbulence model.
Abstract: 3D simulations based on an impinging jet were carried out to investigate the flow field of a steady downburst and its effects on a high-rise building by applying the SST k-w turbulence model The vertical profile of radial wind speed obtained from the simulation was compared with experimental data and empirical models in order to validate the accuracy of the present numerical method Then wind profiles and the influence of jet velocity and jet height were investigated Focusing on a high-rise building, the flow structures around the building, pressure distributions on the building surfaces and aerodynamic forces were analyzed in order to enhance the understanding of wind load characteristics on a high-rise building immersed in a downburst
TL;DR: In this article, a high-speed train running on a cable-stayed bridge subjected to wind loads was studied, in which the effect of wind loads and moving vehicle was calculated separately.
Abstract: In order to reveal the independent relationship between track irregularity and wind loads, the stochastic characteristics of train-bridge coupling systems subjected to wind loads were investigated by the multi-sample calculation. The vehicle was selected as 23 degrees of freedom dynamical model, and the bridge was described by three-dimensional finite element model. It was assumed that the wind loads were random processes with strong spatial correlation, while the track irregularities were stationary random ones. As a case study, a high-speed train running on a cable-stayed bridge subjected to wind loads was studied. The effect of rail irregularities was deemed to be independent of the effect of wind excitations on the coupling system in the same wind circumstance for the same project, leading to the conclusion that the effect of wind loads and moving vehicle could be calculated separately. The variance results of the stochastic responses of vehicle-bridge coupling system under the action of wind loads and rail irregularities together were equivalent to the sum of the variance of the responses induced by each excitation. Therefore, when one of the input excitations is different, only the effect of changed loads needs to be assessed. Moreover, the new calculated results were combined with the effect of unchanged loads to present the stochastic response of coupling system subjected to the different excitations, reducing the cost of computations. The stochastic characteristics, the CFD (cumulative distribution function) of the coupling system with different wind velocities, vehicle speed, and vehicle marshalling were studied likewise.