Wind engineering

Definition, interest and example of application of wind engineering, with the simulation of a tornado wind on a structure, and the study of its impact in terms of pressure coefficients.

In many construction projects, particularly those involving buildings, bridges or sensitive infrastructures, an analysis of the impact of wind on the structures envisaged is crucial. CFD modelling is therefore often necessary in the preliminary design phase. This can provide a wealth of information, such as local peak pressures, vortex separation and the type of coupling between the flow and the solid structure (fluid-structure interaction). In this way, it will be possible to ensure that resistance or aerodynamic criteria are met, and to optimise the construction if necessary.

Below is an example of wind engineering, based on a project to model the impact of a tornado wind on a sensitive area.

CFD simulation of tornado wind impact on a sensitive structure

Background​

  • Client: private company in the energy sector.

  • Faced with climate drift and the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather events, sensitive buildings are experiencing increasing risks. Design and safety standards must evolve accordingly.

  • Key physics concepts : turbulence, dynamic pressure, atmospheric boundary layer.
CFD simulation - Wind impact on buildings - Mesh example

Issues

  • Determination of the compressive and tensile stresses experienced by a sensitive structure.

  • Modelling of the particularities of a tornado wind: gyratory phenomenon, important pressure and speed gradients.

  • Contribution of CFD compared to a more empirical methodology (Civil Engineering).

  • Reflection on the contribution of RANS simulations concerning unsteady and turbulent aspects.

Contributions to the project

  • Development of an atmospheric flow model in unidirectional wind.

  • Unidirectional wind simulations for model validation with wind tunnel tests.

  • Development of a tornado wind model.

  • Development of a force and stress analysis methodology.

  • Parametric CFD simulations on several risk sites, for different positions and different tornado intensities.

  • Localization of areas subject to problematic tensile stresses.
 
 
CFD simulation with code_saturne - Tornado in urban area
Simulation results - Pressure coefficients on a building

Technical environment

  • Linux and Windows.

  • Programming with Fortran and C++.

  • Meshing with IcemCFD and OpenFOAM.

  • CFD with Code_Saturne.

  • Visualisation with ParaView.

  • HPC cluster, with >1000 processors.
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