Peer-Reviewed Research Utilizes Wind Tunnel Experiments to Evaluate How Building Irregularities Influence Wind-Induced Pressure Distributions During Extreme Wind Events
MIAMI — Manuel A. Matus, PhD, Civil and Structural engineer and “Wind Doctor” at DDA Forensics, was published in the Journal of Structural Engineering, a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The article, “Wind-Induced Pressure Distribution of Nonrectangular Shaped Low-Rise Buildings,” examines how irregularly shaped buildings respond to wind pressures and the resulting impact on structural performance. The research evaluates pressure distributions around nonrectangular building geometries using wind-tunnel testing and analytical modeling to better understand how wind loads affect these structures.
“Understanding how wind interacts with irregular building geometries is critical to evaluating structural performance and potential damage patterns. This type of research helps strengthen the technical foundation that experts rely on when investigating wind-related failures. Through wind tunnel testing of multiple building models under simulated atmospheric boundary-layer conditions, the research demonstrates that nonrectangular geometries produce significantly different wall and roof pressure distributions, including more separation zones and a greater likelihood of multiple simultaneous suction regions. Notably, comparisons with existing design guidelines reveal that, in several cases, measured local and area-averaged pressures exceed recommended values. These findings highlight the urgent need to expand wind load databases to better reflect contemporary architectural forms and to advance the development of design provisions tailored to structures with intricate shapes,” says Matus.
The study investigated multiple building models with nonrectangular plans and measured how wind pressures vary across different surfaces. Findings from the research help improve engineering understanding of wind-structure interaction and may contribute to more accurate evaluation of wind loads on buildings with complex geometries.
“At DDA Forensics, our engineering work is grounded in research, academics, and scientific analysis. Manuel’s research advances the science behind structural performance and wind damage evaluation,” says Jonathon Diego, Managing Partner, DDA Forensics.
Matus holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, specializing in wind engineering and the effects of extreme wind events on civil infrastructure. At DDA Forensics, he specializes in structural analysis, wind damage assessment and forensic investigations involving building failures and structural performance. Utilizing engineering principles and advanced simulation techniques, Matus determines the root cause of failures, assessing factors such as human error, design flaws, and manufacturing defects.
View the full article here: https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-14906.
About DDA Forensics
DDA Forensics provides forensic engineering, building consulting and expert witness services for attorneys and insurance carriers throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. We specialize in evaluating and determining the cause of property damage and failures for residential and commercial structures. With over 20 years of experience, the most advanced education, certifications and technologies, we provide objective and accurate forensic investigations that yield clear, concise, conclusive results. Learn more at www.DDAForensics.com.
About the ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) strives to advance research across civil engineering and related disciplines to help inform, develop, and inspire sustainable action. One of the oldest and most respected periodicals in the field, the Journal of Structural Engineering reports on fundamental knowledge that advances the state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice in structural engineering. Authors share the art and science of structural modeling and design; develop, apply and interpret the results of novel analytical, computational and experimental simulation techniques; propose new structural systems and study the merits of existing ones; pioneer methods for maintenance, rehabilitation and monitoring of existing structures; and investigate the properties of engineering materials as related to structural behavior. Learn more at https://ascelibrary.org/.
Media Inquiries:
Angela Delmedico
Elev8 Consulting Group
Ph: 386-243-5388
Em: info@elev8cg.com
Web: www.elev8cg.com
###
