Abstracts & Papers

Organizer: Teng Wu, University at Buffalo

Abstract: Noticeable increase in recent use of artificial intelligence (AI) in wind engineering community suggests its great promise in offering new opportunities to investigate the wind hazards and their impacts to civil structures and infrastructure systems. The mini-symposia will focus on contributions that cover topics including but not limited to:

• State-of-the-art AI tools (e.g., symbolic or logical AI, expert system, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and physics-informed and/or knowledge-enhanced machine learning);
• Recent advancements in wind engineering-related data collections, data-driven modeling and machine learning algorithms;
• AI applications to wind climate analyses (e.g., classical boundary layer winds, tropical cyclones, extra-tropical cyclones, non-synoptic winds);
• AI applications to terrain and topography effects;
• AI applications to aerodynamics and aeroelasticity modeling;
• AI applications to structural dynamics and damage assessment;
• AI applications to wind hazard mitigation (e.g., optimization and control) and disaster management (e.g., preparedness, response and recovery);
• AI applications to environmental wind engineering;
• AI applications to computational fluid dynamics;
• AI applications to wind tunnel tests.

Organizer: Franklin Lombardo, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Abstract: Experimental, computational or field studies investigating small-scale and/or transient wind phenomena (e.g., downbursts, tornadoes) or some components of the flow characteristics of these events and their relevance to engineering. Loading studies on all infrastructure types investigating the effects of these phenomena or flow characteristics and comparison to the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) are also welcome. Derivation of transient flow characteristics from damage and subsequent modeling.

Organizers: R. Panneer selvam, University Professor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA, Email: rps@uark.edu

Abstract: Computational Wind Engineering (CWE) has been evolving and applied extensively in recent years due to developments in high performance computing. One of the key components to advance the application in wind engineering is the validation with experimental and field measurements. In this mini-symposium, recent developments in computational fluid dynamics-based applications, CWE based machine-learning and artificial intelligence (AI) will be discussed. The wind engineering topics may include building and bridge aerodynamics, tornado modeling, tornado-structure interaction modeling and fundamental development in inflow turbulence modeling. Other related wind engineering topics are also encouraged. Recent field and wind tunnel measurements that can be of great value for CWE validation are also encouraged.

Organizers: Paolo Bocchini, Professor, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA; Email: paolo.bocchini@lehigh.edu. Guirong (Grace) Yan, Professor, Missouri S&T, Rolla, MO, 65409, USA; Email: yang@mst.edu

Abstract: Wind-related perils continue to be among the most relevant concerns for our society. Academia, government agencies, and private sector advance the state of the art and practice in modeling these perils and their impact. This mini-symposium will bring together experts from universities and research organizations to discuss the most recent advancements, their trajectory, and the open needs. Topics relevant to the symposium include but are not limited to improvements in tropical cyclone simulation, severe convective storm simulation, hurricane hazard assessment, mechanistic and data-driven wind pressure modeling, development of fragility/vulnerability curves (for classes and specialty structures), model validation and calibration with historical data.

Organizer: Ji Yun Lee, Associate Professor, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Email: jiyun.lee@wsu.edu

Abstract: Insurance plays a crucial role in disaster recovery by providing homeowners with the financial support necessary to rebuild after catastrophic events. Tornadoes, among the most destructive and costly hazards in the United States, consistently lead to substantial insured losses, placing increased pressure on both homeowners and insurance providers to manage risk and recover effectively. This mini-symposium will explore the complex relationship between tornado damage, insurance policies, and homeowner recovery efforts. This session will examine how risk assessment models can be improved to better predict the likelihood and severity of tornado damage and how insurance companies are adapting premiums to better reflect regional vulnerabilities. Topics will include, but are not limited to: the latest advancements in tornado damage prediction and mitigation, the role of homeowners insurance in disaster recovery, evolving insurance policies in response to changing risk profiles, and the economic and social implications for homeowners facing mounting repair costs. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this session aims to highlight strategies for improving risk assessment, refining insurance practices, and enhancing recovery efforts in tornado-prone areas.

Organizer: Jana Houser, Ohio State University

Abstract: This session will focus on observational and modeled analyses of low-level/near ground winds in tornadoes (I.e., winds within a few hundred m of the surface down to ground level). Topics can include atmospheric observations and modeling studies of low-level winds and boundary layer flow in and near tornadoes, studies of the effects of tornado winds on manmade structures and naturally occurring objects, and implications of damage survey results. Focus on the physical structure and evolution of the low-level winds in the tornado itself, on the feedback between the tornado and ground-based objects including engineered structures, terrain, trees, etc. and the modulation of the tornado by these objects, the role of rotational winds in catastrophic failure a variety of engineered structures, and results from high-resolution, turbulence resolving model simulations are particularly encouraged.

Organizers: Eun Cha, Abdollah Shafieezadeh, Michele Barbato, and Alex Taflanidis

Abstract: Changing climate conditions are expected to alter wind patterns and intensities, presenting significant challenges to the safety and functionality of built infrastructure. This Mini-Symposium will bring together researchers to share the latest advances in climate change research related to wind impacts on civil infrastructure and adaptation strategies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: (1) modeling methods for nonstationary risk assessment of wind impacts on infrastructure assets and systems; (2) assessment of climate change impacts on wind-related risks and performance of civil infrastructure across different regions and temporal scales; (3) development of adaptation strategies and implementation support specific to wind hazards; and (4) decision-making support tools for managing complex and uncertain wind-related risks. Contributions that address conceptual, theoretical, computational, field-based, experimental, and/or methodological advancements are all welcome.

Organizer: Wanting (Lisa) Wang, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Old Dominion University, w2wang@odu.edu

Abstract: As social demands and public expectations for safety increase, stakeholders must extend their focus beyond merely addressing the response and recovery of physical buildings and infrastructures following wind-induced events. Analysts are now required to model communities as interconnected physical and socio-economic systems and measure multidisciplinary and multidimensional resilience metrics. Reconnaissance studies can capture immediate and long-term physical and social impacts on communities after such events, further facilitating community resilience modeling and validating community-level simulations to make these models more convincing to stakeholders, planners, and engineers. Despite recent advancements in community resilience simulations and reconnaissance studies, there is still a need for improvement due to the complexity of multidisciplinary algorithm fusions and the challenges of reliable data acquisition and high-fidelity data processing. This mini-symposium brings together researchers from academia and industry to explore the research topics related to the design, assessment, and management of the built environment from a multidisciplinary perspective in the face of wind-induced events. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, hazard mitigation, damage assessment, risk assessment, functional recovery, remote sensing, and post-disaster reconnaissance studies. Contributions on related topics are also welcome.

Organizers: Choa Sun, Louisiana State University and Biswajit Basu, The University of Dublin

Abstract: To reduce carbon emissions, wind energy production has been experiencing rapid development. As an emerging sector, offshore wind has enormous potential to provide clean wind power. However, the offshore wind turbines are complex dynamic systems, and their performance under harsh marine conditions is critical to ensure reliable and cost-effective offshore wind energy. To create resilient offshore energy infrastructure and coastal communities, we need to capture the complex characteristics of wind, surge, and wave flows and quantify their loading effects on structures. This mini-symposium aims to provide a forum for discussions on latest advances in wind energy and wind-wave-structure interaction modeling. Specific topics include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Modeling of dynamic loading (wind, wave, current, rain, earthquake, etc.) on land-based and offshore wind turbines; 2. Aerodynamics and aeroelasticity modeling of wind turbines; 3. Fluid-structure interactions between wind, wave, and structures; 4. Wind-wave interactions; 5. Dynamics modeling, mitigation, and load reduction of wind turbines; 6. Structural health monitoring of wind turbines; 7. Optimization of wind farms;

Organizers: Arthriya Subgranon, University of Florida and Seymour M.J. Spence, University of Michigan

Abstract: Performance-based wind engineering (PBWE) is revolutionizing structural design by emphasizing desired building performance under wind loads, rather than prescriptive codes. This mini-symposium will present recent advances in wind hazard modeling, wind-structure interaction, structural analysis, design methods, experimental methods, computational tools, and uncertainty and reliability analysis for structural systems and building envelopes. Experts from academia and industry will share insights on the state of the art and practice in real-world projects to enhance resilience, safety, and cost-effectiveness. By bridging research and practice, the symposium aims to advance PBWE adoption and improve wind-resistant design in built environments.

Organizer: Shashank Yellapantula (NREL)