Wind engineering analyzes effects of wind in the natural and the built environment and studies the possible damage, inconvenience or benefits which may result from wind. In the field of structural engineering it includes strong winds, which may cause discomfort, as well as extreme winds, such as in a tornado, hurricane or heavy storm, which may cause widespread destruction. In the fields of wind energy and air pollution it also includes low and moderate winds as these are relevant to electricity production resp. dispersion of contaminants.
Wind engineering draws upon meteorology, fluid dynamics, mechanics, geographic information systems and a number of specialist engineering disciplines including aerodynamics, and structural dynamics. The tools used include atmospheric models, atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnels, open jet facilities and computational fluid dynamics models.
Wind engineering involves, among other topics:
- Wind impact on structures (buildings, bridges, towers).
- Wind comfort near buildings.
- Effects of wind on the ventilation system in a building.
- Wind climate for wind energy.
- Air pollution near buildings.
Wind engineering may be considered by structural engineers to be closely related to earthquake engineering and explosion protection.
Read more about Wind Engineering: History, Wind Loads On Buildings, Wind Turbines, Significance, See Also
Famous quotes containing the words wind and/or engineering:
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
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