Numerical simulation of wind forces on structures

The use of numerical methods to predict wind loads on structures is explored. It is concluded that useful engineering results can be obtained numerically, at reasonable cost, for many different problems. However, it is also shown that a considerable amount of new methodology is needed before numerical methods can be of general utility for wind engineering purposes. These conclusions are based on studies performed with a simple numerical solution algorithm for the time-dependent, three-dimensional, Navier-Stokes equations. Calculational results are presented for a variety of simple structures subjected to uniform and boundary layer type winds. In each example the computer results are compared with wind tunnel data.