Session Abstracts:
This session introduces the advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) capabilities implemented within SimCenter’s WE-UQ tool to enable computational wind engineering studies. These features include streamlined CFD workflows to assess the wind-induced loads and responses on structures. The session begins by discussing the key steps needed for a successful CFD-based wind load simulation inlight of the recent advances in computational wind engineering. Next, the implemented CFD-based workflow is described in detail emphasizing the newly incorporated features that allow users to create or import building geometries, generate automated unstructured mesh, define boundary conditions, run simulations on HPC resources provided by DesignSafe, and post-process results. Finally, the developed workflow is demonstrated through two examples: the first illustrates creating a digital twin of an existing wind tunnel testing facility and validating it against experimental data; the second example applies the workflow to evaluate cladding and overall loads on a high-rise building.