• Wind and Structures
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.483-497
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• 2022

Three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of flow around a hipped-roof building representative of UK inland conditions are conducted. Unsteady simulations are performed using three variations of the k-ϵ RANS turbulence model namely, the Standard, Realizable, and RNG models, and their predictive capability is measured against current European building standards. External pressure coefficients and wind loading are found through the BS 6399-2:1997 standard (obsolete) and the current European standards (BS EN 1991-1-4:2005 and A1:20101). The current European standard provides a more conservative wind loading estimate compared to its predecessor and the k-ϵ RNG model falls within 15% of the value predicted by the current standard. Surface shear stream-traces and Q-criterion were used to analyze the flow physics for each model. The RNG model predicts immediate flow separation leading to the creation of vortical structures on the hipped-roof along with a larger separation region. It is observed that the Realizable model predicts the side vortex to be a result of both the horseshoe vortex and the flow deflected off it. These model-specific aerodynamic features present the most disparity between building standards at leeward roof locations. Finally, pedestrian comfort and safety criteria are studied where the k-ϵ Standard model predicts the most ideal pedestrian conditions and the Realizable model yields the most conservative levels.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.347-362
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• 2022

Current vibration serviceability assessment criteria for wind-induced vibrations in tall buildings are based largely on human 'perception' thresholds which are shown not to be directly translatable to human 'acceptability' of vibrations. There is also a considerable debate about both the metrics and criteria for vibration acceptability, such as frequency of occurrence or peak vs mean vibration, and how these might vary with the nature of the vibration. Furthermore, the design criteria are necessarily simplified for ease of application so cannot account for a range of environmental, situational and human factors that may enhance or diminish the impact of vibrations on serviceability. The dual-site VSimulators facility was created specifically to provide an experimental platform to address gaps in understanding of human response to building vibration. This paper considers how VSimulators can be used to inform general design guidance and support design of specific buildings for habitability, in terms of vibration, which allow engineers and clients to make informed decisions with regard to sustainable design, in terms of energy and financial cost. This paper first provides a brief overview of current vibration serviceability assessment guidelines, and the current understanding and limitations of occupants' acceptability of wind-induced motion in tall buildings. It then describes how the dual-site VSimulators facility at the Universities of Bath and Exeter can be used to assess the effects of motion and environment on human comfort, wellbeing and productivity with examples of how the facility capabilities have been used to provide new, human experience based experimental research approaches.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.533-548
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• 2020

Despite the current technologic developments, failures in existent tensile fabric structures (TFS) subjected to wind do happen. However, design pressure coefficients are only obtained for large projects. Moreover, studies on TFSs with realistic supporting frames, comparing static and dynamic analyses and discussing the design implications, are lacking. In this study, fluid-Structure analyses of a TFS supported by masts and inclined cables, by subjecting it to different wind speeds, are carried out, to gain more understanding in the above-referred aspects. Wind-induced stresses in the fabric and axial forces in masts and cables are assessed for a hypar by using computational fluid dynamics. Comparisons are carried out versus an equivalent static analysis and also versus loadings deemed representative for design. The procedure includes the so-called form-finding, a finite element formulation for the TFS and the fluid formulation. The selected structure is deemed realistic, since the supporting frame is included and the shape and geometry of the TFS are not uncommon. It is found that by carrying out an equivalent static analysis with the determined pressure coefficients, differences of up to 24% for stresses in the fabric, 5.4% for the compressive force in the masts and 21% for the tensile force in the cables are found with respect to results of the dynamic analysis. If wind loads commonly considered for design are used, significant differences are also found, specially for the reactions at the supporting frame. The results in this study can be used as an aid by designers and researchers.

• Ocean Systems Engineering
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.399-414
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• 2020

A floating bridge is an innovative solution for deep-water and long-distance crossing. This paper presents a curved floating bridge's dynamic behaviors under the wind, wave, and current loads. Since the present curved bridge need not have mooring lines, its deep-water application can be more straightforward than conventional straight floating bridges with mooring lines. We solve the coupled interaction among the bridge girders, pontoons, and columns in the time-domain and to consider various load combinations to evaluate each force's contribution to overall dynamic responses. Discrete pontoons are uniformly spaced, and the pontoon's hydrodynamic coefficients and excitation forces are computed in the frequency domain by using the potential-theory-based 3D diffraction/radiation program. In the successive time-domain simulation, the Cummins equation is used for solving the pontoon's dynamics, and the bridge girders and columns are modeled by the beam theory and finite element formulation. Then, all the components are fully coupled to solve the fully-coupled equation of motion. Subsequently, the wet natural frequencies for various bending modes are identified. Then, the time histories and spectra of the girder's dynamic responses are presented and systematically analyzed. The second-order difference-frequency wave force and slowly-varying wind force may significantly affect the girder's lateral responses through resonance if the bridge's lateral bending stiffness is not sufficient. On the other hand, the first-order wave-frequency forces play a crucial role in the vertical responses.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.266-273
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• 2017

In recent years, LNG bunkering terminals are needed to supply LNG as fuel to meet the emission requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). A floating LNG bunkering terminal (FLBT) is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly LNG bunkering systems for storing LNG and transferring it directly to an LNG fuel vessel. The FLBT maintains its position using mooring systems such as spread mooring and turret mooring. The loads on the vessel and mooring lines must be carefully determined to maintain their positions within the operable area. In this study, the wind loads acting in several side-by-side arrangements on the FLBT and LNG-BS were estimated using wind tunnel tests in the Force Technology, and the shielding effect due to the presence of ships upstream was evaluated. In addition, the empirical formulations proposed by Fujiwara et al. (2012) were used to estimate the wind force coefficients acting on the FLBT and those results were compared with experimental results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2006

This paper is primarily focused on the safe navigation between overtaking and overtaken vessels in restricted waterways under the external forces, such as wind and current. The maneuvering simulation between two ships was conducted to find an appropriate safe speed and distance, which is required to avoid collision. From the viewpoint of marine safety, a greater transverse distance between two ships is more needed for the smaller vessel. Regardless of external forces, the smaller vessel will get a greater effect of hydrodynamic forces than the bigger one. In the case of close navigation between ships under the forces of wind and current, the vessel moving at a lower speed is potentially hazardous because the rudder force of the lower speed vessel is not sufficient for steady-state course-keeping, compared to that of the higher speed vessel.

• Proceedings of KOSOMES biannual meeting
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.143-149
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• 2006

This paper is primarily focused on the safe navigation between overtaking and overtaken vesselsin restricted waterways under the external forces, such as wind and current. The maneuvering simulation between two ships was conducted to find an appropriate safe speed and distance, which is required to avoid collision. From the viewpoint of marine safety, a greater transversedistance between two ships is more needed for the smaller vessel. Regardless of external forces, the smaller vessel will get a greater effect of hydrodynamic forces than the higher one. In the case of close navigation between ships under the forces of wind and current, the vessel moving at a lower speed is potentially hazardous because the rudder force of the lower speed vessel is not sufficient for steady-state course-keeping, compared to that of the higher speed vessel.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.2002-2009
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• 2006

This paper is primarily focused on the safe navigation between overtaking and overtaken vessels in restricted waterways under the external forces, such as wind and current. The maneuvering simulation between two ships was conducted to find an appropriate safe speed and distance, which is required to avoid collision. From the viewpoint of marine safety, a greater transverse distance between two ships is more needed for the smaller vessel. Regardless of external forces, the smaller vessel will get a greater effect of hydrodynamic forces than the bigger one. In the case of close navigation between ships under the forces of wind and current, the vessel moving at a lower speed is potentially hazardous because the rudder force of the lower speed vessel is not sufficient for steady-state course-keeping, compared to that of the higher speed vessel.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2018

Vibrational problems in the domestic Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (SHAWT) are due to flap wise vibrations caused by varying wind velocities acting perpendicular to its blade surface. It has been reported that monitoring the structural health of the turbine blades requires special attention as they are key elements of a wind power generation, and account for 15-20% of the total turbine cost. If this vibration problem is taken care, the SHAWT can be made as commercial success. In this work, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires made of Nitinol (Ni-Ti) alloys are embedded into the Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) wind turbine blade in order to reduce the flapwise vibrations. Experimental study of Nitinol (Ni-Ti) wire characteristics has been done and relationship between different parameters like current, displacement, time and temperature has been established. When the wind turbine blades are subjected to varying wind velocity, flapwise vibration occurs which has to be controlled continuously, otherwise the blade will be damaged due to the resonance. Therefore, in order to control these flapwise vibrations actively, a non-linear current controller unit was developed and fabricated, which provides actuation force required for active vibration control in smart blade. Experimental analysis was performed on conventional GFRP and smart blade, depicted a 20% increase in natural frequency and 20% reduction in amplitude of vibration. With addition of active vibration control unit, the smart blade showed 61% reduction in amplitude of vibration.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.127-144
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• 2010

Pressure measurements on static and autorotating flat plates have been recently reported by Lin et al. (2006), Holmes, et al. (2006), and Richards, et al. (2008), amongst others. In general, the variation of the normal force with respect to the angle of attack appears to stall in the mid attack angle range with a large scale separation in the wake. To date however, no surface pressures have been measured on auto-rotating plates that are typical of a certain class of debris. This paper presents the results of an experiment to measure the aerodynamic forces on a flat plate held stationary at different angles to the flow and allowing the plate to auto-rotate. The forces were determined through the measurement of differential pressures on either side of the plate with internally mounted pressure transducers and data logging systems. Results are presented for surface pressure distributions and overall integrated forces and moments on the plates in coefficient form. Computed static force coefficients show the stall effect at the mid range angle of attack and some variation for different Reynolds numbers. Normal forces determined from autorotational experiments are higher than the static values at most pitch angles over a cycle. The resulting moment coefficient does not compare well with current analytical formulations which suggest the existence of a flow mechanism that cannot be completely described through static tests.