Experimental investigation on non-stationary wind loading effects generated with a multi-blade flow device

Abstract

Overcoming the spatial constraints of the small-scale wind tunnel at Northeastern University, a multi-blade flow device (MBFD) has been installed within the facility’s test chamber to generate ramps in measured wind velocities by redirecting horizontally driven flows. As a continuation feasibility study, this paper analyzes the aerodynamic loads imparted on a building model from these simulated non-stationary outflows. Base forces are recorded with a high-frequency force balance sensor (HFFB) and compared to digital simulations using a modified quasi-steady aerodynamic load approach. Under certain conditions, the forces obtained from both physical and numerical procedures coincide well with each other, although differences arise due to assumptions and deficiencies in the modeling. Nonetheless, results indicate that altering horizontal flows with this device is suitable for replicating non-stationary aerodynamic loads, within the confines of a small-scale wind, “straight” tunnel.