Session: 11-15-01: Fluid Problems in Energy Systems

Paper Number: 161883

Innovative Open-Jet Testing Methodology for Wind Engineering Applications 

The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change necessitate innovative approaches in wind engineering to enhance structural resilience. This research addresses the urgent need for accurate wind load predictions by introducing a pioneering open-jet testing methodology developed at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Windstorm Impact, Science, and Engineering (WISE) facility. Traditional wind testing methods often inadequately replicate the complex turbulence found in real-world atmospheric boundary layers, leading to significant underestimations of wind loads on structures.

Our study presents a comprehensive experimental framework that utilizes large-scale open-jet testing to simulate complete turbulence conditions at Reynolds numbers ranging from 500,000 to 1 million. This advanced methodology generates integral length scales that are an order of magnitude larger than those produced by conventional techniques. The results reveal peak pressures that are 25% to 300% higher than those observed in small-scale tests, aligning closely with full-scale field data and establishing a new benchmark for wind load predictions.

The LSU WISE facility serves as a transformative mid-scale research infrastructure addressing critical challenges in wind engineering. By accurately replicating complete turbulence conditions, our approach eliminates the need for corrections typically required in partial turbulence simulations. This capability enables precise evaluations of various infrastructure components—including buildings, photovoltaic solar panels, wind turbines, and bridges—advancing design standards significantly.

Notably, our findings indicate a 45% to 63% reduction in wind uplift forces on photovoltaic panels integrated with gable-roofed structures, suggesting that additional structural reinforcements may often be unnecessary. Furthermore, this research challenges long-held beliefs regarding the insensitivity of wind loads on sharp-cornered structures to variations in Reynolds number.

The implications of this work extend beyond theoretical advancements; it plays a crucial role in shaping climate-resilient infrastructure design by providing robust benchmarks for future experimental and computational studies. The unique capabilities of the LSU WISE facility enable comprehensive testing across diverse systems under controlled wind conditions, leading to design optimizations that enhance resilience while promoting sustainability. This facility represents a Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure that addresses grand challenges and the need for experimental capabilities in the mid-scale range.

Through controlled wind conditions, researchers can gain invaluable insights into the behavior and performance of critical infrastructures such as low- and high-rise buildings, photovoltaic solar panels, wind turbines, bridges, vegetation (nature-based solutions), and power transmission lines. The facility is pivotal in advancing the design and engineering of robust, climate-resilient systems capable of withstanding dynamic environmental challenges. Its potential impact extends far beyond conventional engineering boundaries, offering pathways toward a more sustainable and resilient built environment on a global scale.

In summary, this research not only significantly contributes to the field of wind engineering but also fosters interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at mitigating climate change impacts on our built environment. The societal benefits include influencing building codes, reducing economic losses from wind damage, and creating educational opportunities for STEM students. Through these efforts, we aim to revolutionize practices in wind engineering and contribute to developing more resilient and sustainable infrastructures.

Presenting Author: Aly Mousaad Aly Louisiana State University

Presenting Author Biography: Aly Mousaad Aly, PhD, PE, M.ASCE, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU). He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, specializing in wind engineering and structural control.
Dr. Aly's research is pivotal in advancing methodologies for assessing and enhancing the resilience of infrastructure against extreme weather events intensified by climate change. He has pioneered an open-jet testing methodology at the LSU Windstorm Impact, Science, and Engineering (WISE) Research Lab, which accurately simulates atmospheric turbulence conditions. This innovative approach significantly improves the precision of wind load predictions for various structures, including buildings, bridges, wind turbines, and photovoltaic panels. His findings indicate that peak pressures can be 25% to 300% higher than those from traditional small-scale tests, thereby establishing new benchmarks for design standards in wind engineering.
In addition to his experimental contributions, Dr. Aly actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration to address climate-related challenges in built environments. His expertise encompasses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and structural dynamics, enhancing the performance and resilience of infrastructure systems. He has published extensively on wind-induced pressures on structures and the application of smart damping technologies in high-rise buildings.
Dr. Aly's work significantly influences building codes and standards aimed at reducing economic losses from wind damage while promoting sustainable infrastructure development. He is dedicated to mentoring STEM students and advancing knowledge within the field of wind engineering. For inquiries or collaboration opportunities, Dr. Aly can be contacted via email at aly@LSU.edu.

Authors:

Aly Mousaad Aly Louisiana State University