Built-environment pressure scanning – validating structural integrity

In the development of taller and ever-more complex buildings, a blend of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and Wind Tunnel testing is used to ensure that buildings are structurally safe, unlikely to cause discomfort or be susceptible to fatigue and failure. Often theoretical calculations will not be representative of reality, especially in a highly complex structure. In addition to the integrity of the structure itself, consideration must be given to the effects on buildings in the surrounding vicinity. An initial desk study may determine the necessity for use of a powerful simulation tool, the Wind Tunnel.