Development of Effective Approaches to the Large-Scale Aerodynamic Testing of Low-Rise Buildings

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案(公法111-5)资助的，该项目的目标是开发创新方法，对低层建筑进行简单而准确的大规模空气动力测试。这项研究将通过研究在传统设施中无法重现的流动特征和效果，寻求土木工程应用中感兴趣的基本钝体空气动力学问题的答案。这些影响包括：重要的无量纲流体力学参数的影响(例如，高雷诺数)；典型建筑边缘的流动行为；高频和受控的低频湍流波动；内部压力的突然变化；非平稳阵风；以及风向的急剧变化。这项研究将大大改进对空气动力响应的估计，并为制定关于风荷载的现实标准规定提供先决条件。这些目标将通过在大几何尺度上的受控和可重复的实验来实现，在一个新的最先进的风墙(WOW)测试设备中，能够产生高达63米/S(140英里/小时)的流速。将根据在飓风和温带风暴中收集的详细风速数据，设计旨在产生类似真实风流的主动和被动控制措施。这项研究将发展低层建筑设计的科学基础，从而产生可持续的社区，提高人的安全，减少财产损失和保险成本。该项目将通过进行尖端研究来推进发现，同时通过从K-12到本科生和研究生以及社区大学教师的合作来促进学习。这些活动将包括女性参与工程项目团队计划的女学生，佛罗里达纪念大学的非裔美国学生，以及迈阿密戴德学院的西班牙裔学生。将培养一支训练有素的劳动力队伍，将技术从学术界转移到应用领域。结果将通过期刊和会议、WOW研讨会以及向政策制定者和委员会提交的报告来传播，以促进最新技术并改进当前的做法和标准。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)The objective of this project is to develop innovative methods for simple and accurate large-scale aerodynamic testing of low-rise buildings. The research will seek answers to fundamental bluff body aerodynamics issues of interest in civil engineering applications by investigating flow features and effects not reproducible in conventional facilities. These include: effects of important non-dimensional fluid mechanics parameters (e.g., high Reynolds numbers); flow behavior around typical building edges; high-frequency and controlled low-frequency turbulence fluctuations; sudden internal pressure changes; non-stationary gusts; and sharp wind direction changes. The research will result in substantial improvements in the estimation of aerodynamic response and provide the prerequisites for developing realistic standard provisions on wind loads. The objectives will be pursued through controlled and repeatable experiments at large geometric scales, in a new state-of-the-art Wall of Wind (WoW)testing facility capable of producing flow speeds of up to 63 m/s (140 mph). Active and passive controls aimed at producing flows similar to real wind flows will be designed on the basis of detailed wind speed data collected in hurricanes and extratropical storms. The research will develop the scientific underpinnings of low-rise building design, resulting in sustainable communities with enhanced human safety and reductions of property loss and insurance costs. The project will advance discovery by performing cutting-edge research while promoting learning through collaborations from K-12 to undergraduate and graduate students and community college teachers. The activities will involve female students through the Women in Engineering Projects Teams program, African-American students from Florida Memorial University, and Hispanic students from Miami Dade College. A trained workforce will be developed to transfer technology from academia to applications. Results will be disseminated through journals and conferences, WoW workshops, and reports to policy makers and committees, to advance the state of the art and improve current practices and standards.