The effect of small embankments on wind speeds

Abstract

Full-scale measurements have been made to determine the increase in wind speed over two exposed embankments, one of <TEX>$23^{\circ}$</TEX> slope and 4.7 m in height, the other of <TEX>$24^{\circ}$</TEX> slope and 7.3 m in height. Measurements were made at heights of 5, 10 and 15 m above the upper edge of each embankment and at the same heights approximately 100 m upwind in the lower-level approach fetch. Despite the modest sizes of the embankments, the maximum recorded increase in mean wind speed was 28% and the minimum was 13%; these increase relate to increases in wind loads on structures erected at the top of the embankments of 64% and 28% respectively. The associated increases in gust speeds are estimated at 33% and 18%, which imply increases in gust loading of 77% and 39% respectively. These experimental results are compared with predictions obtained from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, using three high Reynolds number eddy-viscosity models and estimates from the UK wind loading code, BS 6399: Part 2. The CFD results are generally in agreement with the experimental data, although near-ground effects on the embankment crest are poorly reproduced.