Full-Scale/Model Test Comparisons to Validate the Traditional ABL Wind Tunnel Simulation Technique: A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract:Full-scale/model test comparison studies to validate the traditional atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind tunnel simulation technique are reviewed. According to the literature review, notable discrepancies between full-scale measurement results and model test results were observed by most performed comparison studies, but the causes of the observed discrepancies were not revealed in a scientific way by those studies. In this regard, a new research scheme for future full-scale/model test comparison studies is proposed in this article, which utilizes the multiple-fan actively controlled wind tunnel simulation technique. With the new research scheme, future full-scale/model test comparison studies are expected to reasonably disclose the main problems with the traditional ABL wind tunnel simulation technique, and the technique can be improved correspondingly.Keywords: comparison study; full-scale measurement; wind tunnel model test; multiple-fan actively controlled wind tunnel; research scheme IntroductionAs a mature technique applied in aviation industry, the wind tunnel model test was introduced into the field of wind-engineering research and design in 1960s. After Jensen [1] proposed that the flow field simulated in the wind tunnel should be similar to the actual atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow field for wind-engineering model tests, simulating ABL has become an indispensable test procedure. To fulfill the task of simulating realistic ABL turbulent flow fields in the wind tunnel, passive simulation devices, including spires, roughness elements, grids and barriers, can jointly be used. It has been found that the target flow fields can be obtained by adjusting the position and the number of some devices placed in the beginning of the wind tunnel [2,3]. During the past 50 years, most scientific researches and engineering practices made by the wind-engineering community utilized the traditional ABL wind tunnel simulation technique. With this technique, theoretical achievements were made, and numerous engineering structures' safety against extreme wind events was ensured.

Air flow quality analysis of an open-circuit boundary layer wind tunnel and comparison with a closed-circuit wind tunnel

“…7 Wind tunnel tests provide a large amount of information and data, which represent a fundamental support to decision making for the management and planning of projects. 8 Currently, in order to obtain more accurate and reliable results, data are frequently validated and compared with in situ measurements 9 and numerical simulations. For example, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodologies were used to improve the ABL generation and to design an optimized setup for an open-jet facility.…”

Wind-induced pressure loads on buildings in tandem arrangement in urban environment

“…However, the small amount of tests is carried in a fullscale measurements due to the high costs of such research. The differences between the full-and model-scale experiments are explained in work [10]. In this research, the pressure distribution on the objects' surfaces was analysed.…”