Towards a Robust Wind Tunnel-based Evaluation of Extreme Wind Loads

摘要

Proper modeling of the boundary layer flow is essential for wind load evaluation under extreme events such as hurricanes. This layer is formed due to the interaction of wind with natural or man-made obstacles over the surface of the earth. Such interactions generate drag forces proportional to the roughness of the ground which shape the characteristics of the boundary layer, including mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles, as well as the spectral contents and correlations. In the current study, a robust technique for evaluating extreme wind loads using wind tunnels is proposed and validated. The technique is based on automatic identification of effective ground roughness at a site of interest using aerial Google images and reproduction through automated roughness blocks mounted on the wind tunnel floor, a dynamic turntable to recreate the wind direction effects, and high-resolution pressure and load measurements. In addition to enhancing efficiency, these automations limit the subjectivity involved in this type of study.