A parametric representation of wind-driven rain in experimental setups Conference

Baheru, T, Chowdhury, AG, Bitsuamlak, G et al. (2013). A parametric representation of wind-driven rain in experimental setups . 270-280.

cited authors

  • Baheru, T; Chowdhury, AG; Bitsuamlak, G; Tokay, A

abstract

  • The study of wind-driven rain (WDR) has shown a significant progress in past few decades. The applications of semi-numerical and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods have shown major advances to reasonably estimate the amount WDR impinging on building facade. The agreement witnessed between numerical results and actual measurements on existing buildings reinforces the above fact. However, standardized testing methodology for WDR which can produce reliable and repeatable test results is still in its development stage. Buildings' component- wise testing methods for WDR effects prescribed in standards and building codes are limited to a simplified application of water with a uniform and cyclic static pressure. The study presented herein focuses on the representation of WDR and the different parameters involved in simulation of WDR in full and large-scale testing facilities. As to the holistic testing approach, many parameters are involved in determining the amount of rain water deposition on building envelope. These parameters consist of wind field characteristics (wind speed profile and turbulence intensity), rain rate, raindrop size spectrum and its integral parameters (drop number concentration and liquid water content per unit volume of air, mean-weight and volume median diameters etc.) and rain duration. The terminal raindrops velocity also has a direct effect on the calculations of WDR rate and in the determination of the level of impact caused by raindrops on building facade. The paper also discusses the processes involved in hurricane level WDR simulation using a 2-fan WDR generator at Florida International University (FIU). The objective is to develop flow management techniques using a 2-fan prototype system that can be applied to simulate the target parameters at the large-scale 12-fan Wall of Wind hurricane wind and rain simulator. WDR is generated using different type of nozzles arranged in a grid pattern with a controlled discharge rate. Rainfall data (drop size distribution and rain rate) collected during tropical cyclones have been used as target for simulating realistic WDR at the testing facility and preliminary results are presented and discussed. © ASCE and ATC 2013.

publication date

  • November 18, 2013

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 13

start page

  • 270

end page

  • 280