CIVE4107-E1

University of Nottingham
Malaysia
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

A LEVEL 4 MODULE, ASSESSMENT 2021-2022

DYNAMICS AND WIND ENGINEERING

Time allowed THREE Hours

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. You may consult your notes, textbooks or any written materials. However, it must be
your own work.

2. Write your full name and student number on the front page of your submission.

3. Use lined papers when answering the questions.

4. Write all steps in problem-solving clearly.

5. Draw a line through rough work or notes not considered as a part of your answer.

6. Start each question on new sheet of lined paper and write the part number(s) correctly
and clearly.

7. Name and save your file as “your ID_your name_pdf”. Additional 30 minutes are
allocated for digitalising and uploading your answer script

8. Answer all questions. This module has 30% coursework assessment.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: None

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1. (a) Why does cyclone/hurricane/typhoon rotate counterclockwise in the northern

hemisphere and clockwise in the southern? What factors influence the strength of
a cyclone?
[6 marks]

(b) State and briefly explain the factors affecting wind speed and direction near the
surface of the earth. Explain why the wind profile varies in the vertical direction?
[6 marks]

(c) Estimate the gradient wind speed 𝑣!" at a location of latitude 350 North. The area
has an isobar map of low pressure at the center (similar to the isobar system of a
cyclone). The two adjacent isobars located on two side of the location have
pressures of 988 mbar and 992 mbar and are 50 km apart. The distance from the
center of the low pressure to the location is 100 km. Use air density as 1.25 kg/m3.
[5 marks]

(d) A plot of annual maximum wind speed 𝑈#$% vs reduced variate −𝑙𝑛[−𝑙𝑛(1 − 𝑝)] is
shown in Figure Q.1d for a period of 30 years. Estimate the annual maximum wind
speed with a 50 year return period. Explain how reliable will the estimated value
be and how could it be improved?
[8 marks]

Annual maximum wind speed, +!"# vs − ln[−ln(1 − ()]

50

45

40
+!"#,"%%&"' (m/sec)

35

30

25

20

15
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4

−ln[−ln(1 − ()]

Figure Q.1d

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2. (a) With reference to Reynold’s number and Strouhal number, explain how increase
in wind speed may affect the static and dynamic loads on a 4-storey building
having a square plan.
[6 marks]

(b) With sketches, explain how wind flow around a single storey duo pitched roof
building will affect the external pressure distribution at different locations
(windward face, leeward face, side walls, roof etc.). What factors will govern
whether the internal pressure will be either positive (pressure towards the surface)
or negative (suction)?
[4 marks]

(c) If you have a series of cylindrical chimneys and wind is flowing in the direction as
shown in plan view in Figure Q.2c, explain how the chimneys downstream of the
first row may be affected in terms of cross wind response? How can you minimize
such responses?
[6 marks]

Wind

Figure Q.2c

(d) What factors influence the onset velocity of galloping in a long span cable in cold
countries? How can galloping be prevented?
[4 marks]

(e) What causes buffeting? How is the buffeting response of a structure estimated?
How can the possibility of flutter in long span cable supported bridges be
eliminated?
[5 marks]

3. (a) Under which circumstances may you need to use wind tunnel experiments or
computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses? Explain briefly what are the
limitations of using Eurocode for a building having a plan view as shown in Figure
Q.3a? What type of wind tunnel experiment would be suitable for such a building
and what equipment you may use to record the data/responses?
[7 marks]

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Figure Q.3a

(b) Explain why the log-law wind profile may not be applicable to calculate wind speed
at higher altitudes. How can this be rectified?
[2 marks]

(c) Explain how Eurocode deals with the micro meteorological component
(turbulence) of wind in the peak velocity pressure calculations.
[4 marks]

(d) Calculate the static overturning moment of the 10-storey building shown in Figure
Q.3d about 𝑦-axis. The basic wind velocity has a value of 𝑣! = 20 m/sec and is
flowing from left to right along 𝑥-axis as shown in Figure Q.3d. The building is
located in a terrain with 𝑧& value of 0.3 and has a dominant opening on the
leeward face at mid height. Use air density as 1.25 kg/m3.
[12 marks]
12 m

12 m
10 m
8m

!!
10 m

y
12 m

x
12 m

Plan

Elevation

Figure Q.3d
Continued on the next page

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4. Figure Q.4 shows the plan and elevation of a 2-storey reinforced concrete building frame
located on a slope. The columns and beams have cross sectional dimensions of 200 mm
X 350 mm and 200 mm X 400 mm (width X depth) respectively as shown in Figure Q.4.
Each floor is supporting a slab of 150 mm depth. The floor and roof live loads are 3.5
kN/m2 and 2.5 kN/m2 respectively. [Unit weight and modulus of elasticity of reinforced
concrete are 25 kN/m3 and 30 x 109 Nm-2 respectively].
𝑧
𝑦
4m 4m

3.2 m
3m

Plan 𝑥
200 200

3.2 m
4.2 m
5.2 m
350

400

Column Beam
x-section x-section
𝑦
Cross-sectional dimensions in mm Elevation

Figure Q.4

Answer the following:

(a) Calculate the masses at the floor and roof and assemble the mass matrix.
[6 marks]

(b) Calculate the floor stiffnesses about 𝑥-axis and assemble the stiffness matrix .
[6 marks]

(c) Write the matrix equation of motion of the un-damped free vibration of the
building frame about 𝑥-axis.
[3 marks]

(d) What assumptions did you make while deriving the mass and stiffness matrices of
the frame and explain how they may impair the accuracy of the calculated
frequencies and mode-shapes of the building frame?
[5 marks]

(e) How would you validate/justify the modelling of the above frame as a 2-DOF
system?
[5 marks]

CIVE4107-E1 End