• Wind and Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.505-521
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• 2015

A general approach of aerodynamic optimization of tall buildings is presented in this paper, focusing on how to best compromise wind issues with other design aspects in the most efficient manner. The given approach is reinforced by establishing an empirical method that can quickly assess the across-wind loads and accelerations as a function of building frequencies, building dimensions, aspect ratios, depth-to-width ratios, and site exposures. Effects of corner modifications, including chamfered corner and recessed corner, can also be assessed in early design stages. Further, to assess the effectiveness of optimization by tapering, stepping or twisting building elevations, the authors introduce a method that takes use of sectional aerodynamic data derived from a simple wind tunnel pressure testing to estimate reductions on overall wind loads and accelerations for various optimization options, including tapering, stepping, twisting and/or their combinations. The advantage of the method is to considerably reduce the amount of wind tunnel testing efforts and speed up the process in finding the optimized building configurations.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.235-253
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• 2019

This paper reviews shape optimization studies for tall and super-tall building design. Firstly, shape effects on aerodynamic and response characteristics are introduced and discussed. Effects of various configurations such as corner modifications, taper, setback, openings, and twists are examined. Comprehensive comparative studies on various configurations including polygon building models, and composite type building models such as corner-cut and taper, corner-cut and taper and helical, and so on, are also discussed under the conditions of the same height and volume. Aerodynamic characteristics are improved by increasing the twist angle of helical buildings and increasing the number of sides of polygon buildings, but a twist angle of $180^{\circ}$ and a number of sides of 5 (pentagon) seem to be enough. The majority of examined configurations show better aerodynamic characteristics than straight-square. In particular, composite type buildings and helical polygon buildings show significant improvement. Next, shape effects on pedestrian-level wind characteristics around tall and super-tall buildings are introduced and discussed. Corner modification buildings show significant reductions in speed-up areas. On the other hand, setback and tapered models with wider projected widths near the ground show adverse effects on pedestrian-level wind characteristics.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.259-274
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• 2022

The present paper is focused on analyzing a set of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation data on reducing orthogonal peak base moment coefficients on a high-rise rectangular building with wings. The study adopts an aerodynamic optimization procedure (AOP) composed of CFD, artificial neural network (ANN), and genetic algorithm (G.A.). A parametric study is primarily accomplished by altering the wing positions with 3D transient CFD analysis using k - ε turbulence models. The CFD technique is validated by taking up a wind tunnel test. The required design parameters are obtained at each design point and used for training ANN. The trained ANN models are used as surrogates to conduct optimization studies using G.A. Two single-objective optimizations are performed to minimize the peak base moment coefficients in the individual directions. An additional multiobjective optimization is implemented with the motivation of diminishing the two orthogonal peak base moments concurrently. Pareto-optimal solutions specifying the preferred building shapes are offered.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-369
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• 2021

Shape optimization of tall buildings is an efficient approach to mitigate wind-induced effects. Several studies have demonstrated the potential of shape modifications to improve the building's aerodynamic properties. On the other hand, it is well-known that the cross-section geometry has a direct impact in the floor area availability and subsequently in the building's profitability. Hence, it is of interest for the designers to find the balance between these two design criteria that may require contradictory design strategies. This study proposes a surrogate-based multi-objective optimization framework to tackle this design problem. Closed-form equations provided by the Eurocode are used to obtain the wind-induced responses for several wind directions, seeking to develop an industry-oriented approach. CFD-based surrogates emulate the aerodynamic response of the building cross-section, using as input parameters the cross-section geometry and the wind angle of attack. The definition of the building's modified plan shapes is done adopting the reduced basis approach, advancing the current strategies currently adopted in aerodynamic optimization of civil engineering structures. The multi-objective optimization problem is solved with both the classical weighted Sum Method and the Weighted Min-Max approach, which enables obtaining the complete Pareto front in both convex and non-convex regions. Two application examples are presented in this study to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed strategy, which permits the identification of Pareto optima from which the designer can choose the most adequate design balancing profitability and occupant comfort.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2019

One of the most important factors in tall buildings design in urban spaces is wind. The present study aims to investigate the aerodynamic behavior in the square and triangular footprint forms through aerodynamic modifications including rounded corners, chamfered corners and recessed corners in order to reduce the length of tall buildings wake region. The method used was similar to wind tunnel numerical simulation conducted on 16 building models through Autodesk Flow Design 2014 software. The findings revealed that in order to design tall 50 story buildings with a height of about 150 meters, the model in triangular footprint with aerodynamic modification of chamfered corner facing wind direction came out to have the best aerodynamic behavior comparing the other models. In comparison to the related reference model (i.e., the triangular footprint with sharp corners and no aerodynamic modification), it could reduce the length of the wake region about 50% in general. Also, the model with square footprint and aerodynamic modification of chamfered corner with the corner facing the wind could present favorable aerodynamic behavior comparing the other models of the same cluster. In comparison to the related reference model (i.e., the square footprint with sharp corners and no aerodynamic modification), it could decrease the wake region up to 30% lengthwise.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.337-351
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• 2022

As central-slotted box decks usually have excellent flutter performance, studies on this type of deck mostly focus on the vortex-induced vibration (VIV) control. Yet with the increasing span lengths, cable-supported bridges may have critical wind speeds of wind-induced static instability lower than that of the flutter. This is especially likely for bridges with a central-slotted box deck. As a result, the overall aerodynamic performance of such a bridge will depend on its wind-induced static stability. Taking a 1400 m-main-span cable-stayed bridge as an example, this study investigates the influence of a series of deck shape parameters on both static and flutter instabilities. Some crucial shape parameters, like the height ratio of wind fairing and the angle of the inner-lower web, show opposite influences on the two kinds of instabilities. The aerodynamic shape optimization conducted for both static and flutter instabilities on the deck based on parameter-sensitivity studies raises the static critical wind speed by about 10%, and the overall critical wind speed by about 8%. Effective VIV countermeasures for this type of bridge deck have also been proposed.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.489-497
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• 2019

Wind-adaptable design (WAD) provides a new method for super-tall buildings to lessen design conflicts between architectural prerequisites and aerodynamic requirements, and to increase the efficiency of structural system. Compared to conventional wind-resistant design approach, the proposed new method is to design a building in two consecutive stages: a stage in normal winds and a stage during extreme winds. In majority of time, the required structural capacity is primarily for normal wind effects. During extreme wind storms, the building's capacity to wind loads is reinforced by on-demand operable flow control measures/devices to effectively reduce the loads. A general procedure for using WAD is provided, followed by an exploratory case study to demonstrate the application of WAD.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.105-120
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• 2023

The present study is performed to find the effect of corner recession on a square plan-shaped tall building. A series of numerical simulations have been carried out to find the two orthogonal wind force coefficients on various model configurations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Numerical analyses are performed by using ANSYS-CFX (k-ℇ turbulence model) considering the length scale of 1:300. The study is performed for 0° to 360° wind angle of attack. The CFD data thus generated is utilised to fit parametric equations to predict alongwind and crosswind force coefficients, C_fx and C_fy. The precision of the parametric equations is validated by employing a wind tunnel study for the 40% corner recession model, and an excellent match is observed. Upon satisfactory validation, the parametric equations are further used to carry out multiobjective optimization considering two orthogonal force coefficients. Pareto optimal design results are presented to propose suitable percentages of corner recession for the study building. The optimization is based on reducing the alongwind and crosswind forces simultaneously to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the building.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2020

The aircraft industry supports aviation by building aircraft and manufacturing aircraft parts for their maintenance. Fuel economization is one of the biggest concerns in the aircraft industry. The reduction in specific fuel consumption of aircraft can be achieved by a variety of means, simplest and more effective is the one to impose minor modifications in the aircraft main wing or the parts which are exposed to the air flow. This method can lead to a reduction in aerodynamic resistance offered by the air and have a smoother flight. The main objective of this study is to propose geometric design modifications on an existing aircraft wing which acts as a vortex generator and it can reduce the drag and increase lift to drag ratio, leading to lower fuel consumption. The NACA 2412 aircraft wing is modified and designed. Rigorous flow analysis is carried out using computational fluid dynamics based software Ansys Fluent. Results show that saw tooth modification to the main wing shows the best aerodynamic efficiency as compared to other modifications.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

A team of researchers and practitioners were recently assembled to prepare a monograph on "Wind-Induced Motion of Tall Buildings: Designing for Habitability". This monograph presents a state-of-the-art report of occupant response to wind-induced building motion and acceptability criteria for wind-excited tall buildings. It provides background information on a range of pertinent subjects, including: ${\bullet}$ Physiological, psychological and behavioural traits of occupant response to wind-induced building motion; ${\bullet}$ A summary of investigations and findings of human response to real and simulated building motions based on field studies and motion simulator experiments; ${\bullet}$ A review of serviceability criteria to assess the acceptability of wind-induced building motion adopted by international and country-based standards organizations; ${\bullet}$ General acceptance guidelines of occupant response to wind-induced building motion based on peak acceleration thresholds; and ${\bullet}$ Mitigation strategies to reduce wind-induced building motion through structural optimization, aerodynamic treatment and vibration dissipation/absorption. This monograph is to be published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and equips building owners and tall building design professionals with a better understanding of the complex nature of occupant response to and acceptability of wind-induced building motion. This paper is a brief summary of the works reported in the monograph.