Research

Introduction

Wind Engineering Section attacks problems related to turbulence of the atmospheric boundary layer, prediction of wind systems over local topography, aerodynamic characteristics of bluff bodies, also development of new wind turbine system, and computational fluid dynamics in wind engineering. As our tools for the research, we utilize various wind engineering facilities including boundary-layer wind tunnel，thermally stratified wind tunnel，and water tanks.

Hot research topics

  1. Turbulence structure and transport characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer    see more >>
    We are trying to find out characteristics of exchange and transport processes of momentum, heat and constituent occurring inside the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. A large number of numerical simulations are carried out as much as physical simulations such as large wind tunnel experiment.

  2. Aerodynamic characteristics and flutter phenomena of bluff bodies    see more >>
    Behavior of air flow around a body in non-streamlined shape (bluff body) placed in the atmospheric boundary layer is very interesting. We aim for establishing a general explanation for flow around the bluff bodies. Also, a body in a flow often vibrates. Sometimes the amplitude of the oscillation increases naturally and causes serious damages. This is called "flutter". We study about the mechanism and effective prevention of the flutter.

  3. Prediction of wind systems over local topographic features (RIAM-COMPACT package)    see more >>
    We study air flow over and around buildings, minor landforms, also over complex terrain and urban canopy by using wind tunnel experiments and carrying out various field works to establish effective method of predicting micro and local wind conditions. Numerical approach which has been rapidly advancing in recent years in fluid dynamics is also one of our strong tools to attack the problems.

  4. Development of wind energy and new wind turbine system (WIND-LENS)    see more >>
    To contribute to increase the share of clean renewable energy sources, we have been developing a new effective wind power concentration system. This technology is named "Wind Lens". The Wind Lens can improve output power of wind turbine by a factor of 2 to 3 compared to conventional wind turbine that has the same rotor radius. This research is also a part of new generation of off-shore power plant.

  5. Exchange process of momentum, heat and constituent between the atmosphere and ocean    see more >>
    Refining meteorological method to determine amount of carbon dioxide exchanged between the atmosphere and ocean (including eddy correlation method, aerodynamic technique of gradient method, and bulk method) is also one of our research topics. At the same time, we are trying to find out relation between local climate and the amount of the exchanged carbon dioxide.

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