The influence of wind on the urban environment, for example, strong wind areas around high-rise buildings, gaseous diffusion in street canyons, pressures on walls or windows, vibrations of the upper portions of high-rise buildings, is simulated by means of wind tunnel experiments. The boundary layer wind tunnel composed of a powerful fan system and a large duct system around the inner space of the building is now in use. The maximum wind velocity is 33 m/s, or about 120 km/h in the testing section. New techniques such as the adjustable ceiling height system located in the testing section have been incorporated into the wind tunnel. Various measuring instruments and a computer-aided multipurpose management system control the operation of the wind tunnel, measuring procedures and post-processing. As a result of tests carried out in this facility, new concepts in the architectural design of buildings and structures are realized.

Fan system---Göttingen flow-type boundary layer tunnel
Fan system---Axial fan (=3.5m), DC motor (400V, 150kw, 0-300rpm),
Leonard-type thyristor controller
Total length--- 94m
Testing area---2.0(H)x2.4(W)x21.0(L)m
Adjustable ceiling height system, two turn tables (=2.0m),
And traversing system for measuring instruments are utilized,
Wind velocity---0.5-33m/s

Inside View of Testing Section	Perspective of Wind Tunnel System

Measuring and Analyzing Systems

Measurement for wind velocity---

• Multi-channel pressure measuring system
  
• Sonic anemometer
  
• 3-D Laser Doppler velocimeter (f=0.1 - 2.2m)
  
• Tandem-type hot wire anemometer
  
• Thermistor anemometer, etc.
  

Measurement for wind pressures---

• Multi-channel pressure measuring system
  
• High fidelity wind pressure gauge (10 sets)
  
• Micro differential pressure gauge (2sets)
  

Measurement for dynamic wind force---

• 6 force components balance
  

Measurement for gaseous concentration---

• F.I.D. gas chromatography
  

Equipment for visualization---

• Argon ion laser source (5W)
  
• High-speed video system (1,000 frames per second)

Hazama Technical Research Institute
515-1, KARIMA, TSUKUBA-SHI IBARAKI, JAPAN
TEL: 029-858-8803 / FAX: 029-858-8809