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Phone: 613-990-0765
1200 Montreal Road,
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Wind Effects on Structures
The NRC Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) carries out studies on the wind loading, aeroelastic stability and dynamic response of ground-based structures such as tall buildings, towers, and bridges. These studies are often performed in advance of erection of the structure in order that the design engineers can obtain accurate information with respect to the structural loads and deflections arising from the static and dynamic action of wind.
Stonecutters Bridge 1:20 scale dynamic sectional model in 9m wind tunnel |
Double aeroelastic suspension bridge models for existing and proposed Tacoma Narrows Bridges |
NRC Aerospace also conducts investigations on existing structures in order to alleviate unacceptable levels of vibration. Modifications to the aerodynamic shape of the structure are optimized in the wind tunnel and then incorporated into the actual structure. Typically, these investigations are carried out on scale models of the actual structure immersed in a correctly scaled dynamic representation of the natural wind.
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| Inclined stay-cable aerodynamics research study in 3m x 6m wind tunnel |
In other instances, prototype structures or elements of structures are tested at full-scale in the NRC wind tunnels. Examples include stay cables for cable-supported bridges, overhead power lines, communications antennas, road signs and wind turbines. Full-scale or large-scale testing of unusual structures is a feature that distinguishes NRC Aerospace from other wind engineering service providers worldwide. Its 9 m x 9 m wind tunnel, the largest facility in the world used for wind engineering applications, is at the root of many developments in the field and studies of wind effects on structures have been done in all of its wind tunnels.
NRC Aerospace has expertise in a wide range of measurement techniques and instrumentation which can provide information about the loads and responses of a structure. Wind tunnel balances and strain gauges are used to provide time averaged and unsteady loads (forces and moments) acting on all or part of a structure. NRC Aerospace uses surface pressure measurements with electronic pressure scanners to provide an instantaneous picture of the wind loading on a structure and its variations with time.
NRC Aerospace is abreast of the methods of generation of flow conditions relevant to the study of wind effects on structure. Flow conditions ranging from smooth flow to isotropic turbulent flow, and to simulated atmospheric turbulent boundary layer flow for a particular site are being produced in the NRC wind tunnels.
