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Dr. William Yanko, P.E. - Miami, FL
Dr. Yanko utilizes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze wind pressures associated with reported storm damage. The principles of fluid dynamics can be applied to computational wind engineering. CFD has been used for wind loading evaluations on structures for a couple of decades, but it has primarily been in the academic fields and as supporting evidence for ASCE 7 wind design formulations. It has been slowly entering the forensic engineering profession. CFD provides information related to structural loading due to wind effects which were previously attainable only through wind tunnel studies and full-scale testing. However, computing power and user knowledge have been limitations for the complex mathematics involved in this type of analysis.
A key benefit for forensic analysis is that it helps engineers, clients, and juries (in some cases) understand the wind effects on a specific building geometry and wind direction with straightforward graphics. For instance, the results from CFD analysis can be used to compare high wind pressure areas on a roof with damage that was observed in the field. Dr. Yanko states, "Although physical evidence at a site remains most important in forensic evaluations, I am really optimistic that this technology can confirm findings and may be the future of wind analysis."
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