• Title/Summary/Keyword: Auckland

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Pedestrian level wind speeds in downtown Auckland

  • Richards, P.J.;Mallinson, G.D.;McMillan, D.;Li, Y.F.
    • Wind and Structures
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    • v.5 no.2_3_4
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    • pp.151-164
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    • 2002
  • Predictions of the pedestrian level wind speeds for the downtown area of Auckland that have been obtained by wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling are presented. The wind tunnel method involves the observation of erosion patterns as the wind speed is progressively increased. The computational solutions are mean flow calculations, which were obtained by using the finite volume code PHOENICS and the $k-{\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The results for a variety of wind directions are compared, and it is observed that while the patterns are similar there are noticeable differences. A possible explanation for these differences arises because the tunnel prediction technique is sensitivity to gust wind speeds while the CFD method predicts mean wind speeds. It is shown that in many cases the computational model indicates high mean wind speeds near the corner of a building while the erosion patterns are consistent with eddies being shed from the edge of the building and swept downstream.

A new way to design and construct a laminar box for studying structure-foundation-soil interaction

  • Qin, X.;Cheung, W.M.;Chouw, N.
    • Earthquakes and Structures
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    • v.17 no.5
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    • pp.521-532
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    • 2019
  • This paper describes the construction of a laminar box for simulating the earthquake response of soil and structures. The confinement of soil in the transverse direction does not rely on the laminar frame but is instead achieved by two acrylic glass walls. These walls allow the behaviour of soil during an earthquake to be directly observed in future study. The laminar box was used to study the response of soil with structure-footing-soil interaction (SFSI). A single degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure and a rigid structure, both free standing on the soil, were utilised. The total mass and footing size of the SDOF and rigid structures were the same. The results show that SFSI considering the SDOF structure can affect the soil surface movements and acceleration of the soil at different depths. The acceleration developed at the footing of the SDOF structure is also different from the surface acceleration of free-field soil.

Influence of mass and contact surface on pounding response of RC structures

  • Khatiwada, Sushil;Larkin, Tam;Chouw, Nawawi
    • Earthquakes and Structures
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.385-400
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    • 2014
  • Pounding damage to bridges and buildings is observed in most major earthquakes. The damage mainly occurs in reinforced concrete slabs, e.g. building floors and bridge decks. This study presents the results from pounding of reinforced concrete slabs. A parametric investigation was conducted involving the mass of the pendulums, the relative velocities of impact and the geometry of the contact surface. The effect of these parameters on the coefficient of restitution and peak impact acceleration is shown. In contrast to predictions from numerical force models, it was observed that peak acceleration is independent of mass. The coefficient of restitution is affected by the impact velocity, total participating mass and the mass ratio of striker and struck block.

Strength and stiffness of cold-formed steel portal frame joints using quasi-static finite element analysis

  • Mohammadjani, Chia;Yousefi, Amir M.;Cai, Shu Qing;Clifton, G. Charles;Lim, James B.P.
    • Steel and Composite Structures
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    • v.25 no.6
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    • pp.727-734
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    • 2017
  • This paper describes a quasi-static finite element analysis, which uses the explicit integration method, of the apex joint of a cold-formed steel portal frame. Such cold-formed steel joints are semi-rigid as a result of bolt-hole elongation. Furthermore, the channel-sections that are being connected have a reduced moment capacity as a result of a bimoment. In the finite element model described, the bolt-holes and bolt shanks are all physically modelled, with contact defined between them. The force-displacement curves obtained from the quasi-static analysis are shown to be similar to those of the experimental test results, both in terms of stiffness as well as failure load. It is demonstrated that quasi-static finite element analysis can be used to predict the behavior of cold-formed steel portal frame joints and overcome convergence issues experienced in static finite element analysis.

Novel pin jointed moment connection for cold-formed steel trusses

  • Mathison, Chris;Roy, Krishanu;Clifton, G. Charles;Ahmadi, Amin;Masood, Rehan;Lim, James B.P.
    • Steel and Composite Structures
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    • v.31 no.5
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    • pp.453-467
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    • 2019
  • Portal frame structures, made up of cold-formed steel trusses, are increasingly being used for lightweight building construction. A novel pin-jointed moment connector, called the Howick Rivet Connector (HRC), was developed and tested previously in T-joints and truss assemblage to determine its reliable strength, stiffness and moment resisting capacity. This paper presents an experimental study on the HRC, in moment resisting cold-formed steel trusses. The connection method is devised where intersecting truss members are confined by a gusset connected by HRCs to create a rigid moment connection. In total, three large scale experiments were conducted to determine the elastic capacity and cyclic behaviour of the gusseted truss moment connection comprising HRC connectors. Theoretical failure loads were also calculated and compared against the experimental failure loads. Results show that the HRCs work effectively at carrying high shear loads between the members of the truss, enabling rigid behaviour to be developed and giving elastic behaviour without tilting up to a defined yield point. An extended gusset connection has been proposed to maximize the moment carrying capacity in a truss knee connection using the HRCs, in which they are aligned around the perimeter of the gusset to maximize the moment capacity and to increase the stability of the truss knee joint.

CFD modelling and the development of the diffuser augmented wind turbine

  • Phillips, D.G.;Richards, P.J.;Flay, R.G.J.
    • Wind and Structures
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    • v.5 no.2_3_4
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    • pp.267-276
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    • 2002
  • Research being undertaken at the University of Auckland has enabled Vortec Energy to improve the performance of the Vortec 7 Diffuser Augmented Wind Turbine. Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling of the Vortec 7 was used to ascertain the effectiveness of geometric modifications to the Vortec 7. The CFD work was then developed to look at new geometries, and refinement of these led to greater power augmentation for a given diffuser exit area ratio. Both full scale analysis of the Vortec 7 and a wind tunnel investigation of the development design have been used for comparison with the CFD model.