CFD- Wind

[SKJ25POL]

Does anybody know CFD is same as wind tunnel study or is a different approach?
If not the same, what's difference? When one of them is better than the other?
Is CFD approved by code to be used?

Any articles or publication you know of.

Thank you

 

[KootK]

CFD = math, like FEM

Wind tunnel = testing with similitude.

I think that wind tunnel testing is the gold standard but is generally more expensive. I'm not sure how CFD works with code compliance.

The greatest trick that bond stress ever pulled was convincing the world it didn't exist.

 

[JedClampett]

I don't think there's an acceptance for CFD in lieu of traditional methods or wind tunnel testing. It's an interesting approach, however. Expect a fight from the wind tunnel providers before it's allowed. I suspect that they'd be put out of business.

 

[slickdeals]

RWDI had their own CFD wing that they have since shut down.

 

[glass99]

CFD has its place in building design, but at least as the technology is today its no threat to wind tunnels. Wind tunnels are not that expensive and are very reliable, whereas CFD is very expensive and not reliable at all. $50k spend on a wind tunnel = good certainty, $100k spend on CFD = probably wrong.

The advantage of any computer modeling over any physical test is that its easy to run iterations, so therefore is a better design tool. I think CFD makes the most sense when used in addition to wind tunnel testing for final verification. It makes possible complex aerodynamic interventions in tall buildings, and wind calming studies at street level for pedestrians.

 

[Trenno]

I'll just leave this here...

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