Wind‐Simulation Criteria for Wind‐Effect Tests

Abstract

Pressures, loads, dynamic responses and adverse pedestrian‐level environments caused by wind action on buildings and structures are commonly determined by physical modeling in wind tunnels. Accurate quantitative evaluation of these effects for wind engineering requires that natural wind characteristics be simulated with reasonable fidelity. Features of boundary‐layer wind tunnels that meet this requirement are presented and reviewed. Two general criteria are proposed as minimum performance requirements of wind tunnels used to test buildings and structures for wind effects.