High-order scale-resolving simulations of extreme wind loads on a model high-rise building

Building facade systems can be subject to severe and highly localized wind suction pressures. Such pressures need to be accurately assessed in order to estimate the maximum loads on a typical cladding panel. Wind tunnel experiments studying turbulent flow over a model high-rise building have shown space–time localized peaks of extremely low pressure (Cp<−8) on the model building facade. Such low pressure values are unexpected and the potential implications for the cost and carbon intensity of cladding systems are significant. In this work, we use the open-source solver PyFR to carry out high-order Implicit Large Eddy Simulations (ILES) of this test case. The simulations capture, for the first time, the observed space–time localized peaks of extreme low pressure, replicating the experimental findings. The corresponding fluid structures are shown in detail. They are found to be relatively thin and long vortices spinning with an angular velocity approximately normal to the building wall.