Wind Tunnel
Simulation of Pedestrian-Level Wind in Los Angeles
Bruce R. White
Department
of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
University
of California, Davis
Overview
This summary describes the methodology developed
to address pedestrian-level winds within the South Coast Air
Basin, a 6,000-square mile area that includes Orange County,
most of Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. Working with the city of Los Angeles officials guidelines
for wind-testing procedures, analysis, and report-data
presentation were established. The assessment is accomplished through wind-tunnel
testing that couples full-scale meteorological data to physical
modeling data. The
primary application of this evaluation process is in the
environmental impact assessment of proposed buildings,
industrial complexes, and other construction projects that may
substantially alter pedestrian-level winds in public areas. To date, since 1990, fifteen different wind-tunnel
studies have been carried out by the author using this method,
and it has been well received by the city of Los Angeles
planning officials.
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