Modeling of the mean wind loads on structures

Correct determination and consideration of wind loads are primary importance in the design of unique architectural objects such as high-rise buildings, sport arenas, airports, large-span bridges. One of the most accurate ways to determine wind loads is to carry out model tests in specialized wind tunnels. Nowadays, during wind tests much attention is paid to the correct modeling of natural wind properties. In present work comparison of the most popular approaches for turbulence length scale determination is presented. One of the purposes of this study is to compare the main aerodynamic characteristics of the simple cube model obtained in uniform flow and during ABL modeling. This paper provides a brief overview of the method for ABL modelling in test section of the Landscape wind tunnel and contains experimental data on mean flow velocity distribution, turbulence intensity, dimensionless spectral density and integral scale of turbulence. The comparison of experimental data obtained for cube model in various wind tunnels revealed the influence of ABL on geometry and intensity of separation zones at the cube sides, and, as consequence, the influence of the same on integral and local aerodynamic characteristics of the object. On the basis of the obtained experimental data, it was concluded that the intensity of the separation zones has significant influence on the total aerodynamic loads, which is usually not taken into account in the framework of applied calculations. The difference in numerical values of aerodynamic characteristics was up to 30 %.