Novel Physical Simulators for Non-Synoptic Wind Systems

Abstract

The study of wind effects on buildings and structures is primarily based on physical simulations of wind events. Synoptic, atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) winds have been simulated in boundary layer wind tunnels. Non-synoptic wind events such as tornadoes and downbursts are three-dimensional, dynamic, and non-stationary, and, as a result, a new generation of physical simulators have emerged in the past decades. Some of these simulators, their performances as well as their limitations, are reviewed in this chapter.