FAST VORTEX METHODS FOR PREDICTING WIND-INDUCED PRESSURES ON BUILDINGS

The random vortex method is a Lagrangian particle-based numerical simu lation scheme especially appropriate for fluid Rows characterized by h igh Reynolds numbers and complex geometries. When coupled with a fast solver for computing vortex interactions, it becomes ideally suited fo r wind engineering simulations. Fast vortex methods have several advan tages over grid-based methods because they do not suffer from numerica l diffusion, are simpler to implement particularly as the geometry bec omes more complex, and are likely to exploit the architecture of distr ibuted-memory computers more effectively. In this paper, initial resul ts are presented for a fast vortex two-dimensional simulation of the a tmospheric boundary layer wind how around a bluff body under open terr ain conditions. The results compare favorably with full-scale measurem ents for the well known instrumented Texas Tech Building.