Comparison between an uncoupled one-way and two-way fluid structure interaction simulation on a super-tall slender structure

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive analysis on a super-tall structure where a numerical approach is used to measure its structural response when subjected to turbulent wind. The aim of this study is to provide a feasible alternate approach, to the experimental multi-degree of freedom (MDOF) aeroelastic wind tunnel tests, which are commonly used in industry to estimate structural responses of super-tall structures. An innovative and time-efficient uncoupled one-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation technique was used to measure the structural response. This novel method was evaluated against a commercially available two-way FSI analysis technique and validated with an experimental MDOF aeroelastic model. It is shown that the uncoupled one-way FSI analysis is capable of estimating structural responses and provides similar numerical accuracy to that of the experimental response. This performance was achieved in a total of 74 clock hours which accounts for the CFD simulation and transient structural analysis calculated for eighteen different structural configurations. In comparison, the two-way FSI analysis, which uses a commercial code, took 4800 clock hours to calculate for six configurations. The uncoupled one-way FSI technique also provided good correlations with experimentally observed trends such as vortex-induced resonance. In comparison the two-way FSI simulation was not as accurate due to the practical limitations (such as mesh size) that needed to be introduced in order to obtain results within a feasible time frame. Finally through validation, it is demonstrated that the proposed uncoupled one-way FSI analysis technique can provide accurate results at a feasible cost.