Investigation of Extreme Winds for the Estimation of Aerodynamic Loads on Containership and Port Infrastructures (ERIES-EXTRALOADINPORTS)

Dataset Description

The dataset within this project aims to provide the scientific community and all port stakeholders with an experimental benchmark consisting of a characterization of the wind field and aerodynamic coefficients on containerships and port infrastructures under extreme winds. Experiments were performed on containerships and port infrastructures within the WindEEE Dome including ABL, downburst-like, downburst-like embedded in ABL, and tornado-like winds. Each wind system was first tested in the empty test chamber in absence of models. Following the empty test chamber measurements, the ship was tested for five different container arrangements within each flow.

S0. Documentation

This folder contains important documents that pertain to the project. 

S1. Wind Profile Development (PRF)

Simultaneous surface wind velocity measurements were taken to characterize wind profile of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flows, downburst-like flows, and combined ABL–downburst flows. Three-component wind velocities were measured using Turbulent Flow Instruments (TFI) Cobra Probes which were mounted on to a vertical rack at heights of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, and 50.0 cm above the ground surface. The following experiments were performed with the rack positioned at its primary position. The rack was then moved forward, rearward, left, and right by 40.0 cm and each experiment was repeated. This configuration resulted in profiling measurements at 5 locations.

E1. Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) Flow Profile

An atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow representative of over sea-like surface and open-country type terrain was generated using the 60-fan wall located on one side of the hexagonal WindEEE test chamber. To establish the ABL profile, 13 triangular spires were installed upstream of the measurement location for the open-country type terrain flow. Each spire measured 120 cm in height and 20 cm at the base, and the array was positioned 100 cm downwind from the 60-fan wall. The spires were designed to induce a vertical wind-speed gradient and turbulence intensity profile consistent with an open-country ABL, promoting flow development prior to the model testing position. ABL wind of various strength were generated by operating the fans at the 60%, and 90% of their rated fan speed. These experiments are indicated by the profile config value ‘CC-2091’, ‘CC-2051’, ‘CC-2090’, and ‘CC-2005’, within the test file name.

E2. Downburst-like (DB) Flow Profile

In the WindEEE Dome, an impinging-jet style downburst was created by releasing pressure from a plenum above the test chamber. The resulting flow began as a high-velocity jet striking the ground, which then spread outward in a radial outflow. To control the flow, the upper fans were operated at 30% of their capacity, and the downburst bellmouth, with a diameter of 3.2 m, set the characteristic scale of the impinging jet.

To capture the structure of this complex flow, 3-D point measurements were taken using a profiling rack, employing the same methodology as for the ABL experiments. The rack was positioned at radial distances r/D = 1.1, and 1.2 along an azimuthal line of φ = 180°. These experiments are indicated by the profile config value ‘CC-1011’, within the test file name.

E3. Combined DB- ABL Flow Profile

To investigate the interaction of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flows with downburst-like events, the WindEEE Dome was configured to simultaneously generate ABL and impinging-jet downburst flows. For the ABL component, a 60-fan wall was operated at 60% of its capacity to generate mean wind speed profiles representative of winds over sea-like surface and open-country type terrain. Thirteen triangular spires, each 120 cm high and 20 cm at the base, were positioned 100 cm downstream of the fan wall to induce a vertical wind-speed gradient and realistic turbulence intensity profile for the open-country type terrain. For the downburst component, the upper fans were set to 30% of their operational limit to produce a high-velocity impinging jet through downdraft opening diameter D = 3.2 m. This configuration created a combined flow field in which the ABL profile was modulated by the radial outflow of the downburst. These experiments are indicated by the profile config value ‘CC-5031’, and ‘CC-5030’, within the test file name.

E4. Tornado Wind Profile

In the WindEEE Dome, a tornado-like vortex was generated by extracting air from the test chamber into a plenum located above the chamber. Incoming flow entered the test chamber through adjustable peripheral louvers, which were set to prescribed angles to impart initial swirl to the flow. The interaction between the central updraft and the swirling peripheral inflow resulted in the formation of a tornado-like vortex within the test chamber. Flow conditions were controlled by operating the upper fans at −50% of their capacity, setting the peripheral louvers to an angle of 25°, and restricting the bell mouth diameter to 3.2 m. To capture the structure of this complex flow, three-dimensional point measurements were obtained using the vertical profiling rack, following the same measurement methodology as in S1.E1. The center of the rack was positioned at radial distances of 12.5:12.5:125 cm along an azimuthal line of φ = 0:30:330° and oriented tangentially to the rotating flow.

E5. Tornado Flow Rate (Upper Plenum)

The goal of this experiment was to capture the updraft velocity through the bell mouth. Unlike the instrumentation setup described in S1, a single J-probe was positioned on a rack and secured above the bell mouth. The probe location was placed radially from the centre of the bell mouth ranging from 20cm to 160cm in increments of 20cm. Measurements were taken at 10 and 20 cm above the honeycomb to characterize the updraft velocity. The probe followed an azimuth angle of 315° and oriented directly downwards.  These measurements were taken for simulated tornado winds identified as profile ‘CC-1011’, within the test file name. The tunnel set points are identical to experiments in S1.E4. 

E6. Downburst Flow Rate (Upper Plenum)

The goal of this experiment was to capture the downdraft velocity through the 3.2m bell mouth. The setup of the velocity probe is the same as in S1.E5 but  the probe oriented directly upwards at height of 10cm above the honeycomb. These measurements were taken for simulated downburst winds identified as profile ‘CC-0011’, within the test file name. The tunnel set points are identical to experiments in S1.E2. 

S2. PIV Profile Development Setup

This wind profile measurement setup is supplementary to specimen S1. While specimen S1 captures point measurements in a vertical plane utilizing TFI cobra probes, this specimen captures flow field in a vertical plane above the test chamber floor utilizing the PIV system. A high-frequency laser was focused and split through a cylindrical lens into a thin laser sheet, fog machines were used to seed the entire test chamber with long lasting fog fluid, and finally synchronized high-resolution cameras (flares) were used to capture laser light refraction. Flares send image data to the DVR Express Cores during test measurements. This measurement setup is identified as “PRF-PIV” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. Downburst-like (DB) Wind Profile

This experiment involves capturing various simulated downburst flow fields in a vertical plane. Depending on the instrumentation setup, the field coverage varies. These PIV measurements correspond to simulated DB winds identified as profile  ‘CC-1011’, within the test file name. 

E2. Combined DB- ABL Wind Profile  

This experiment involves capturing various simulated combined downburst-ABL flow fields in a vertical plane, and measurements were taken for simulated winds identified as profile  ‘CC-5030’, within the test file name. 

S3. Empty Containership - Open Water Exposure

A rigid containership model was constructed in three parts: an aluminum U-channel, a resin 3D-printed ship bottom, and a resin 3D-printed ship top. The ship bottom and U-channel were common between S3-S7, while the ship top was interchangeable. For this test specimen the ship top had no exposed containers. The aluminum U-channel was used to reinforce the ship model providing additional rigidity to the 3D-printed resin.  The assembled ship model measured 100 cm in length, 14 cm in width, and 11 cm in height. The model was instrumented with a six degree of freedom load cell. The U-channel was attached directly to the load cell, and the load cell was then attached to a rigid aluminum model rig. The model rig could be adjusted to allow for rotation and translation within the false floor of WindEEE without the need to remove the model or load cell.  This specimen is identified as “SH1” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

The ship model described in Section S3 was tested under ABL wind profiles generated as described in Section S1.E1. The center of the ship model was positioned at a radial distance of rm/D = 1.1 from the center of the turntable and an azimuthal position of φ = 180°. Ship model orientation angle (θ) was increased from 0° to 180° in 30° intervals.  

The model was tested at two ABL wind strengths (the sixty fans operated at the 60%, and 90% of their rated fan speed), with no spires to achieve the over sea-like surface ABL flows profiled in S1.E1. The wind profile is identified as ‘CC-2051’, and ‘CC-2005’, within the test file name. 

E2. DB Wind Loading

The ship model described in Section S3 was tested under DB winds simulated as detailed in S1.E2. The center of the ship model was positioned at radial distances of r/D = 1.1 from the center of the jet and an azimuthal position of φ = 180°. Ship model orientation angle (θ) varied from 0° to 180° in 30° increments for all tests. The upper fans of the WindEEE Dome were set to 30% of their operational limit to generate the downburst-like flow.  

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

The ship model described in Section S3 was tested under wind profiles generated as detailed in Section S1.E3. The ship model was positioned at a radial distance of r/D = 1.1 and at azimuthal position of φ = 180°. Building orientation angle (θ) varied from 0° to 180° in 30° increments.

The background ABL flow was generated by operating the 60-fan wall at 60% of its operational limit, The impinging jets were produced by running the fans in the upper plenum at 30% of their operational limit.

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

The ship model described in Section S3 was tested under tornado winds simulated as detailed in S1.E4. The center of the ship model was positioned at radial distances of 0:25:75 cm from the center of WindEEE dome and an azimuthal position of φ = 180°. Ship model orientation angle (θ) varied from 0° to 180° in 30° increments for all tests. The upper fans of the WindEEE Dome were set to -50% of their operational limit and the peripheral louvers were set to 25° to generate the tornado-like flow.  The bell mouth position was static and located in the centre of the dome. These experiments are indicated by the profile config value ‘CC-0011’, within the test file name. 

S4. 50% Loaded Containership - Open Water exposure

The model was the same as S3, with the ship top being representative of a ship with half of exposed containers being on the ship. This specimen is identified as “SH2” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

Same as S3.E1.

E2. DB Wind Loading

Same as S3.E2.

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

Same as S3.E3.

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

Same as S3.E4.

S5. 75% (Bow) Loaded Container Ship in Open Water

The model was the same as S2, with the ship top being representative of a ship with three quarters of exposed containers being on the ship. The containers are also unevenly distributed along the length of the ship, with a larger number being present towards the bow of the ship. This specimen is identified as “SH3” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

Same as S3.E1.

E2. DB Wind Loading

Same as S3.E2.

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

Same as S3.E3.

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

Same as S3.E4.

S6. 75% (Stern) Loaded Containership in Open Water

The model was the same as S2, with the ship top being representative of a ship with three quarters of exposed containers being on the ship. The containers are also unevenly distributed along the length of the ship, with a larger number being present towards the stern of the ship. This specimen is identified as “SH4” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

Same as S3.E1.

E2. DB Wind Loading

Same as S3.E2.

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

Same as S3.E3.

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

Same as S3.E4.

S7. 100% Loaded Containership in Open Water

The model was the same as S2, with the ship top being representative of a ship fully loaded with the maximum number of exposed containers. This specimen is identified as “SH5” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

Same as S3.E1.

E2. DB Wind Loading

Same as S3.E2.

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

Same as S3.E3.

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

Same as S3.E4.

S8. Containership Moored at Port

The model was identical to S7, with the addition or a port proxy model. Port proxy model included seven cranes and approximately 13 rows of stacked containers. The model was fabricated via 3D-printed resin and measured 321 cm in length, 148cm in width, and 23cm in height. The port proxy model was placed close to the ship, as if the ship was moored, but did not contact the ship. This specimen is identified as “SH5-PRT” within the measurement data file names. 

E1. ABL Wind Loading

Similar to the instrumentation described in S3.E1, however the ship model orientation angle (θ) was tested from 0° to 330° in 30° intervals. Additionally, when θ was between 180° and 360° (0°), i.e. when the port was upwind of the ship, the spires were installed

E2. DB Wind Loading

Similar to the instrumentation described in S3.E2, however the ship model orientation angle (θ) was tested from 0° to 330° in 30° intervals.

E3. Combined DB-ABL Loading

Similar to the instrumentation described in S3.E3, however the ship model orientation angle (θ) was tested from 0° to 330° in 30° intervals. Additionally, when θ was between 180° and 360° (0°), i.e. when the port was upwind of the ship, the spires were installed

E4. Tornado Wind Loading

Similar to the instrumentation described in S3.E4, however the ship model orientation angle (θ) was tested from 0° to 330° in 30° intervals.