Gregory Kopp, University of Western Ontario

Title: Building Aerodynamics in Tornadoes

Abstract

Tornado wind fields have aspects that lead to some distinct aerodynamic effects for wind loads on buildings. In general, aerodynamic load coefficients for buildings are set by the vortices and flow features that result from flow separations and reattachments at wall and roof edges. The flow patterns and loading are well established for the wind profiles and turbulence in atmospheric boundary layers but less well understood for tornadoes, where the swirling wind field with a significant vertical velocity component in the vortex core alter the patterns. The paper will present findings that highlight how tornado streamline curvature and the translation speed of the tornado vortex passing the building alter the wind loads and building generated vortices, increasing aerodynamic loads.