ERIES TRANSWindS: TRansient Aerodynamics induced by Non-Synoptic Winds on Structures

This Project aims to investigate the effect of wind loads on low-rise structures subjected to highly transient non-synoptic wind events, such as thunderstorm downbursts. The datasets correspond to flow velocity measurements and ground measurements associated with the thunderstorm profile, along with surface pressure measurement performed on the Texas Tech University Wind Engineering Research Field Laboratory (TTU WERFL) building (TB1), and a masonry building typology commonly found in European cities (TB2). TB2 was tested for the same cross-plan and two different heights, as well as in isolation and in a context of urban surrounding. The experimental campaign was performed at the “Giovanni Solari” Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel at the University of Genoa. The transient nose-shaped wind speed profile was simulated using a multi-blade active system, calibrated to reproduce different levels of flow acceleration. Pressure and velocity measurements by means of PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) were acquired in transient conditions. As concerns pressure measurements, multiple (15) nominally identical repeats were conducted for each transient experiment. For building aerodynamics purpose, tests on TB1 and TB2, were conducted for orientation between the building and the wind equal to 0, 45 and 90 degrees. PIV measurements were acquired for TB1 only, and for one angle of orientation only (90 degrees). In this case, only one unique repeat was conducted, for three levels of acceleration. The Readers are directed to the file "General_Description.docx" within the folder Database_Zenodo\Metadata\ to visualize the framework of ERIES - TRANSWindS.