Hazardous winds, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, have a great impact on civil engineering structures and cause significant social and economic disturbances. The wind speed and pressure tested in the conventional wind tunnel experiments are much smaller than the actual wind speed and pressure measured in the field. Therefore, the Wind-induced Damage Simulator (WDS) was constructed at the University of Ottawa to overcome the wind speed limitations of wind tunnels and to simulate different types of wind speed profiles. WDS is an isolated cubic box with dimensions 3.65m x3.65 m and 3.0 m height, with multiple inlets on the side faces of the testing chamber and an outlet on the top side. This unique equipment creates a controlled environment for studying wind speed profiles in a confined space, by regulating the air flow with the aid of an attached industrial blower. To measure the simulated wind velocities inside the WDS and to obtain the wind speed profile in the testing chamber, Aeroprobe (12- Hole Probe) sensor was used for different combinations of opened inlets and at four different locations. The data collected from the Aeroprobe was processed by the use of the Aeroflow 2.7.5.7346 software, to get the velocity of wind in three different directions (u, v and w) and the mean velocity at a single point. After determining the mean velocity at different heights and RPM values at all four positions, Matlab software was used to determine the wind profile and the spectra of the turbulence intensities and these were compared for different heights at the four investigated locations and for various rotations per minute (RPM) values (400 to 800 RPM) for controlling the blower. Once the flow characterization was completed, the wind-induced pressure for three models of the Silsoe Cube were measured as a part of the second phase of the test. The current experiment employed 3 different scales of Silsoe cube: 1:40, 1:30 and 1:20, while the pressure coefficients were determined at 16 different points along a vertical line crossing the faces of the cube. A pressure taps system with 16 channels and a Scanivale pressure scanner were used to measure the pressure at 16 different positions on the cube. Matlab software was used to determine the pressure coefficients from the data measured by pressure taps. The pressure coefficienst for the Silsoe Cube were plotted and compared for the three different scales. Also, for determining the best scale to be used in future experiments. The pressure coefficients of the 3 different scaled model of Silsoe Cubes was compared with full-scale data reported in the literature for the same structure. Based on the results obtained from the experiments, recommendations for the best location in the testing chamber for the future experiments employing the WDS were formulated.

One of the communities in the path of Hurricane Charley as it came ashore August 13, 2004, was Punta Gorda, recording gusts up to 145 mph. This project utilizes aerial photos taken approximately 10 days after the storm battered the area, using a digital photography program. Focusing on the one-story residential structures (houses) of the Punta Gorda area, a damage assessment could be made of the area’s homes, and how they stood up to the storm. This study focused further on homes built after major changes to the local/state building codes went into effect (starting in 1996) after the devastation left in south Florida by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. After selecting approximately 20 damaged houses, damaged from wind loading only, an analysis of these houses (or types of houses) could then be undertaken complying with the most current building/wind codes used at the time of Charley’s landfall. Furthermore, by looking at the pictures, and using reports outlining the types of damage seen from the storm, the building/wind codes could then be checked for their effectiveness. After performing a wind loading analysis on houses similar to those seen in the selected pictures, and using the wind code provisions of ASCE 7-98, calculations show a substantial increase in local wind pressure to various zones of the roof. High pressure zones of the roof included the ridges of the gable and hipped style roofs, as well as the corners and the edges. More emphasis needs to be placed on the installation of the clay tiles (mandated by certain deed-restricted subdivisions of Punta Gorda). If the tiles are ripped off from the wind, then the roof sheathing becomes exposed to the environment, and if this becomes damaged, rain leaking down into the interior of the house would cause additional damage.

Over the past thirty years, extensive research has been conducted with the objective of reducing wind damage to structures. Wind tunnel simulations of wind loads have been the major source of building codes. However, a simple comparison of pressure coefficients measured in wind tunnel simulations with full-scale measurements show that the simulations, in general, underpredict extreme negative pressure coefficients. One obvious reason is the lack of consensus on wind tunnel simulation parameters. The wind in the atmospheric surface layer is highly turbulent. In simulating wind loads on structures, one needs to simulate the turbulent character besides satisfying geometric and dynamic similitudes. Some turbulence parameters that have been considered in many simulations include, turbulence intensities, integral length scales, surface roughness, and frequency spectrum. One problem with these parameters is that they are time varying in the atmospheric boundary layer and their averaged value, usually considered in the wind tunnel simulations, cannot be used to simulate pressure peaks. In this work, we show how wavelet analysis and time-scale representation can be used to establish an intermittency factor that characterizes energetic turbulence events in the atmospheric flows. Moreover, we relate these events to the occurrence of extreme negative peak pressures. / Ph. D.

Uma importante estratégia de projeto para melhorar o desempenho térmico das edificações em climas quentes e úmidos é a adoção conjunta da ventilação natural e de dispositivos de sombreamento. Contudo, quando a ventilação natural é ocasionada pela ação dos ventos nas edificações, as pressões do vento nas envoltórias da edificação são alteradas com a presença de elementos externos próximos que mudam as características do fluxo incidente. Deste modo, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os impactos na ventilação natural, e nas temperaturas internas do ar e/ou no conforto térmico de uma habitação térrea em um clima quente e úmido, a partir do uso de diferentes dispositivos de sombreamento externos e muro. Para isso, foram realizadas simulações computacionais no programa EnergyPlus através do módulo AirflowNetwork. Foram realizados ensaios em túnel de vento de Camada Limite Atmosférica (CLA) para a obtenção dos coeficientes de pressão (Cps). Os resultados apontaram impactos específicos a cada elemento estudado, no entanto o fenômeno mais frequente nos casos com dispositivos de sombreamento foi a redução dos efeitos de sobrepressão e sucção. Quanto aos seus impactos nas renovações de ar, estes provocaram uma diminuição do fluxo de ar e, consequentemente, o aumento da temperatura no período predominantemente noturno. Entretanto, foi observado um maior impacto na atenuação das temperaturas internas nos períodos diurnos, que prevaleceu sobre o aumento nos períodos de ventilação. Destacou-se, dentre os dispositivos de sombreamento estudados, as proteções tipo veneziana por proporcionarem um melhor desempenho térmico. Já os muros, dentre todos os elementos estudados, foram os que tiveram maior impacto nos Cps. Tal fenômeno significou a diminuição da taxa de renovação de ar dentre 50 e 75%. O impacto mais sobressalente nas temperaturas internas nestes casos foi o aumento destas no período noturno, limitando o potencial da ventilação natural para a remoção de calor da edificação / An important design strategy for improving the thermal performance of buildings in hot and humid climates is the adoption of natural ventilation strategies and shading devices combined. However, when natural ventilation is wind-driven, the wind pressures on the building envelope are altered by the presence of nearby external elements that change the incident flows characteristics. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the impacts on natural ventilation, and the internal air temperatures and/or the thermal comfort of a single ground floor low-cost house in a hot and humid climate, considering the use of different external shading devices and walls. For such, computational simulations were performed in the EnergyPlus program using the AirflowNetwork module. Atmospheric Limit Wind (CLA) wind tunnel tests were performed to obtain pressure coefficients (Cps). The results indicated specific impacts to each element studied, however the most frequent phenomenon in cases with shading devices was the reduction of the effects of overpressure and suction. As for their impacts on air changes rate, they caused a decrease in airflow and, consequently, an increase in temperature predominantly in the nocturnal period. However, a greater impact was observed in the attenuation of internal temperatures in the daytime periods, which prevailed over the increase in ventilation periods., Among the shading devices studied, venetian type protections for providing better thermal performance were highlighted. Among all the elements studied, the walls had the greatest impact on the Cps. This phenomenon meant the reduction of the air changes rate between 50 and 75%. The most significant impact on internal temperatures in these cases was the their increase at night, limiting the potential of natural ventilation to the removal of heat from the building.

Uma importante estratégia de projeto para melhorar o desempenho térmico das edificações em climas quentes e úmidos é a adoção conjunta da ventilação natural e de dispositivos de sombreamento. Contudo, quando a ventilação natural é ocasionada pela ação dos ventos nas edificações, as pressões do vento nas envoltórias da edificação são alteradas com a presença de elementos externos próximos que mudam as características do fluxo incidente. Deste modo, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os impactos na ventilação natural, e nas temperaturas internas do ar e/ou no conforto térmico de uma habitação térrea em um clima quente e úmido, a partir do uso de diferentes dispositivos de sombreamento externos e muro. Para isso, foram realizadas simulações computacionais no programa EnergyPlus através do módulo AirflowNetwork. Foram realizados ensaios em túnel de vento de Camada Limite Atmosférica (CLA) para a obtenção dos coeficientes de pressão (Cps). Os resultados apontaram impactos específicos a cada elemento estudado, no entanto o fenômeno mais frequente nos casos com dispositivos de sombreamento foi a redução dos efeitos de sobrepressão e sucção. Quanto aos seus impactos nas renovações de ar, estes provocaram uma diminuição do fluxo de ar e, consequentemente, o aumento da temperatura no período predominantemente noturno. Entretanto, foi observado um maior impacto na atenuação das temperaturas internas nos períodos diurnos, que prevaleceu sobre o aumento nos períodos de ventilação. Destacou-se, dentre os dispositivos de sombreamento estudados, as proteções tipo veneziana por proporcionarem um melhor desempenho térmico. Já os muros, dentre todos os elementos estudados, foram os que tiveram maior impacto nos Cps. Tal fenômeno significou a diminuição da taxa de renovação de ar dentre 50 e 75%. O impacto mais sobressalente nas temperaturas internas nestes casos foi o aumento destas no período noturno, limitando o potencial da ventilação natural para a remoção de calor da edificação / An important design strategy for improving the thermal performance of buildings in hot and humid climates is the adoption of natural ventilation strategies and shading devices combined. However, when natural ventilation is wind-driven, the wind pressures on the building envelope are altered by the presence of nearby external elements that change the incident flows characteristics. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the impacts on natural ventilation, and the internal air temperatures and/or the thermal comfort of a single ground floor low-cost house in a hot and humid climate, considering the use of different external shading devices and walls. For such, computational simulations were performed in the EnergyPlus program using the AirflowNetwork module. Atmospheric Limit Wind (CLA) wind tunnel tests were performed to obtain pressure coefficients (Cps). The results indicated specific impacts to each element studied, however the most frequent phenomenon in cases with shading devices was the reduction of the effects of overpressure and suction. As for their impacts on air changes rate, they caused a decrease in airflow and, consequently, an increase in temperature predominantly in the nocturnal period. However, a greater impact was observed in the attenuation of internal temperatures in the daytime periods, which prevailed over the increase in ventilation periods., Among the shading devices studied, venetian type protections for providing better thermal performance were highlighted. Among all the elements studied, the walls had the greatest impact on the Cps. This phenomenon meant the reduction of the air changes rate between 50 and 75%. The most significant impact on internal temperatures in these cases was the their increase at night, limiting the potential of natural ventilation to the removal of heat from the building.