Numerical simulation of tornado-like vortices around complex geometries

Abstract

In this paper, numerical simulations of tornadoes are presented. The problem considered is to first simulate numerically a tornado-like vortex passing through a populated area and then analyse the paths as it impacts structures. This study was invigorated after a tornado, classified F2 on the Fujita scale, striked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Campus in December 2006. The computational domain used in this study is the Florida ERAU Campus and includes accurately all the different buildings. Computations of turbulent flow around several complex shaped buildings are performed using a k−ε turbulence model. The tornado is modelled by means of a vortex which is generated using a pressure gradient. The results obtained are physically reasonable and serve as a first step towards modelling tornadoes.

Keywords:

• CFD
• finite volume
• k−ε
• tornado-like vortex

2000 AMS Subject Classifications :

• 35Q30
• 76N99

Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. I would like to thank Mr. Florian Meyer from ISITV (Toulon, France) and Ms. Violaine Fabre MATMECA (Bordeaux, France) for their help.