Large eddy simulation of the tornado-structure interaction to determine structural loadings

Abstract

A tornado changes its wind speed and direction rapidly; therefore, it is difficult to study the effects of a tornado on buildings in a wind tunnel. The status of the tornado-structure interaction and various models of the tornado wind field found in literature are surveyed. Three dimensional computer modeling work using the turbulence model based on large eddy simulation is presented. The effect of a tornado on a cubic building is considered for this study. The Navier-Stokes (NS) equations are approximated by finite difference method, and solved by an semi-implicit procedure. The force coefficients are plotted in time to study the effect of the Rankine combined vortex model. The tornado is made to translate at a <TEX>$0^{\circ}$</TEX> and <TEX>$45^{\circ}$</TEX> angle, and the grid resolution is refined. Some flow visualizations are also reported to understand the flow behavior around the cube.