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http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/was.2011.14.4.285

Wind profile management and blockage assessment for a new 12-fan Wall of Wind facility at FIU  

Aly, Aly Mousaad (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Alexandria University)
Chowdhury, Arindam Gan (Laboratory for Wind Engineering Research, International Hurricane Research Center, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University)
Bitsuamlak, Girma (Laboratory for Wind Engineering Research, International Hurricane Research Center, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University)
Publication Information
Wind and Structures / v.14, no.4, 2011 , pp. 285-300 More about this Journal
Abstract
Researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC), Florida International University (FIU), are working in stages on the construction of a large state-of-the-art Wall of Wind (WoW) facility to support research in the area of Wind Engineering. In this paper, the challenges of simulating hurricane winds for the WoW are presented and investigated based on a scale model study. Three wind profiles were simulated using airfoils, and/or adjustable planks mechanism with and without grids. Evaluations of flow characteristics were performed in order to enhance the WoW's flow simulation capabilities. Characteristics of the simulated wind fields are compared to the results obtained from a study using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and also validated via pressure measurements on small-scale models of the Silsoe cube building. Optimal scale of the test model and its optimal distance from the WoW contraction exit are determined - which are two important aspects for testing using an open jet facility such as the WoW. The main objective of this study is to further the understanding of the WoW capabilities and the characteristics of its test section by means of intensive tests and validations at small scale in order to apply this knowledge to the design of the full-scale WoW and for future wind engineering testing.
Keywords
Wall of Wind; atmospheric boundary layer; wind profile simulation; pressure coefficient; blockage;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
Times Cited By Web Of Science : 2  (Related Records In Web of Science)
Times Cited By SCOPUS : 3
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