Improved methods for structural wind engineering

This thesis describes research examining the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in structural wind engineering. It looks in particular at steady and unsteady RANS simulations and Detached Eddy Simulation and their use in the calculation of structural loads on static bluff building structures. Previous research across structural wind engineering and CFD is reviewed and critically examined with respect to structural engineering. CFD simulations are performed and compared with published flow data for simple cubes. Loading studies are performed for a complex building and the results compared with wind tunnel studies used in the structural design of the building. Some important local pressure and design forces are found to be highly dependent upon simulation parameters including the spatial discretisation used. In particular, local forces and pressures in the separation and reattachment regions cannot be consistently predicted. Standard industrial CFD methods for improving simulation accuracy including mesh refinement and increasing discretisation accuracy do not necessarily improve prediction of structural loads and explanations are given for this. Results for overall structural loads are found to be sufficiently settled and repeatable for comparison with experimental values, while some local forces and pressures cannot be predicted consistently. Recommendations are made for the appropriate use of CFD in structural engineering and for the future development of CFD techniques. In particular, improved representation of multiple turbulent scales in the free stream and separation regions is required