The physical simulation of a transient, downburst-like event – How complex does it need to be?

Jesson, M, Lombardo, FT, Sterling, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2119-592X and Baker, C (2019) The physical simulation of a transient, downburst-like event – How complex does it need to be? Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 189. pp. 135-150. ISSN 0167-6105

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Abstract

There has been much debate of late regarding the physical simulation of downbursts and, in particular, the need to construct large-scale, relatively expensive facilities in order to obtain wind loading data. For the first time, this paper illustrates that, through the use of partial turbulence simulations and quasi-steady analysis, it is possible to capture the both the loading due to the large-scale features present in downburst flows and the local peaks due to smaller scales of turbulence. These findings have considerable implications for future analysis of transient winds.