Effect of building proximity on external and internal pressures under tornado-like flow

Abstract

Tornadoes are one of the world\'s deadliest natural phenomena. They are characterized by short life span and danger. It has been observed through post-damage surveys that localities with large numbers of buildings suffer major damage during a tornado attack resulting in huge loss of life and property. Thus,it is important to study interfering buildings exposed to tornado-like vortices. The present study focuses on external and internal pressures developed on building models exposed to translating tornado-like vortices in the presence of an interfering building model. The effects of translating speed and swirl ratio of a tornado-like vortex on external and internal pressures for a principal building in the vicinity of an interfering building are investigated. Results indicate that external and internal pressures are enhanced or reduced depending on the location of the interfering building with respect to the principal building.