×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

(OP)
Hi

I have been asked to come up with the most efficient building shape for a new multi-storey building.

I think a wind tunnel test would be best to see how the wind flows around different shapes.

Has anymone got any advice as to how I would go about designing the scale models and any general advice on wind tunnel testing?
Thanks

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

This sounds like a university assignment.  If so, the site is not for students.  Please confirm or otherwise.

Engineers do not usually get to determine the plan shape of multi-storey buildings.  And wind loading is only one factor, usually not controlling the shape, as the usable floor plate is more important economically.

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

Much of the wind effects also depends on the near-by structures in an area that have similar structures not will have them in the forseeable future.

How many stories and does it qualify for a "high rise" where ther are more wind effects.

If you are really concerned, look at the criteria for the "old" multi-story buildings (10 to 30 stories) constructed within the last 5 years ago in Dubai, where they may be dwarfed by neighbors that may have large effects in the near future. Most of these buildings had good engineerng since the general philosophy was that good engineering was an investment since construction costs were low. - You get the best bang for your dollar in the long run.

When you design multi-story buildings you have to look at the future possibilities.

Dick

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

I worked in a wind tunnel lab at college.  It is very common for developers to contract with the university to build the models and test them as needed. concretemasonry is correct that nearby structures can have a profound effect on your building.  Wind tunnel testing typically takes this into effect by modeling nearby buildings also.  See link for photo of model for the world trade center twin towers.

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

You have to be a bit cautious in modelling.  The Reynolds number is not directly scaleable and there are size issues that must be addressed.  Most facilities running wind tunnel testing are aware of the issues and should be directly consulted.

Keep us posted with your findings.

Dik

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

A circle needs only one analysis, most other configurations need 8 or more wind directions for complete results.

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

but is a circle the most efficient design?

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

Area/perimeter is maximized with a circle.  What is your definition of "most efficient"?

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

in terms of construction cost and floorplan layout, I would think a circle would be much less efficient design than say a square.  However, I believe rmg63 was thinking more along the lines of efficient from a wind pressure standpoint.

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

cvg,

If that is what he meant, then yes, a circle is best.  There are a lot of circular buildings around, including one circular tower in Sydney called Australia Square.

RE: WIND TUNNEL TESTING ON TALL BUILDINGS WITH EMPHASES ON SHAPE

Jason Garber of RWDI (www.rwdi.com) made a great presentation at the Vancouver SEI conference in early 2008 that discussed different shapes and how to reduce drag forces through inovative building shape. Tel (519) 823-1311 Ext 2269

or call the competition: www.blwtl.uwo.ca

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources