Computational Wind Engineering
CWE is becoming more relevant with advances in software and hardware technology. Various CFD workflows in high performance computing environment are developed. The main approach is to develop effective CFD based models for each of the elements of the A. G. Davenport Wind Load Chain, for various design topics and wind systems. Efforts to represent the influence terrain include explicit upwind exposure modeling, implicit inflow turbulence generation techniques, topographic effect assessments etc. These are then used as boundary condition to the LES of the aerodynamic forces where the peak pressure coefficients Cp are targeted for generating design wind loads on high- and low-rise buildings. Both synoptic (wind storms, hurricane) and non-synoptic wind systems (such as tornado and downburst) are considered. We are also looking through FSI modeling to assess dynamic effects. The wind load is dependent on both the shape and structural systems which the designer can optimized which in turn can lead to reduced loads. The robustness of CFD and FEM modeling is allowing the aerodynamic and dynamic optimizations. These workflows are also being applied for natural ventilation, air pollution dispersion, pedestrian level wind and building thermal/energy performance applications; pedestrian level wind assessment, complex topography effect on wind (speed-up). Our team is also working on applying these CFD workflows for community level wind (and other climate stressors) effect assessments.
Experimental Wind Engineering
This includes boundary layer wind tunnel based wind load evaluations for design of tall buildings, long span roofs, long span bridge, solar panels/trackers, cladding and components etc. either through aerodynamic and aeroelastic test methods. Also, evaluation of tornadic and downburst loads on essential structures and large scale wind experiments for hurricane by using WindEEE Dome facility. Performance based wind engineering. Bench mark experimetnal aerodyamic data generation for valdiating the computational models.
Building Science & Aerodynamics
This includes boundary layer wind tunnel based wind load evaluations for design of tall buildings, long span roofs, long span bridge, solar panels/trackers, cladding and components etc. either through aerodynamic and aeroelastic test methods. Also, evaluation of tornadic and downburst loads on essential structures and large scale wind experiments for hurricane by using WindEEE Dome facility. Performance based wind engineering. Bench mark experimetnal aerodyamic data generation for valdiating the computational models.
Design of Mass Timber Buildings for Wind
Studying the performance of low-, mid-, and high-rise engineered timber buildings under synoptic, and non-synoptic wind systems. Developing performance based wind engineering methods. Dynamic characterization of tall mass timber buildings.
AI assisted Design & Analysis
Developing AI assisted wind and climate analysis and design of buildings and neighborhoods. AI based methods are being developed for building energy monitoring, for use as surrogate modes for aerodynamic and energy performace optimizations, and feature extraction from LIDAR and other remotely sensed data useful for micro-climate modeling.
BIM for Climate responsive Design
Developing AI assisted wind and climate analysis and design of buildings and neighborhoods. AI based methods are being developed for building energy monitoring, for use as surrogate modes for aerodynamic and energy performace optimizations, and feature extraction from LIDAR and other remotely sensed data useful for micro-climate modeling.