Introduction to Wind Engineering and Urban Climates for Industry Professionals

Details

1-day course

CPD Credit: 6 hours, C1

In companyIn-company training available

Click here for further information on in-company courses or contact us at incompanycpd@engineersireland.ie for a customised quote.

Course Overview

This intensive 1-day course is designed to equip industry professionals with knowledge  practical skills in wind engineering and microclimate analysis, crucial for enhancing the attractiveness of urban environments. With a focus on contemporary standards and codes of practice specific to Ireland, the course offers a blend of theoretical foundations and hands-on applications.

The course begins with a comprehensive introduction to wind engineering principles, covering wind flow dynamics, turbulence, and the interaction between wind and structures.

Next, the course addresses microclimate analysis techniques. Attendees will learn about the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, wind tunnel testing, and on-site measurements to evaluate local climate conditions. Emphasis is placed on practical applications, ensuring participants can understand these techniques in real-world scenarios.

A significant portion of the course is dedicated to exploring the influence of wind on building design. Participants will examine how wind influences ventilation, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. Practical case studies will illustrate successful integration of wind engineering principles into building design.

The course also includes content on the practical application of wind and microclimate data. Participants will engage in exercises and discussions on integrating these data into their design and engineering projects, ensuring compliance with industry best-practice.

Participants will explore strategies to mitigate adverse wind effects, such as landscaping features, physical wind protection measures, alterations to building designs, changes to building placement and orientation. These strategies aim to enhance the microclimate and overall urban environment, contributing to sustainable and resilient design.

Throughout the course, reference will be made to relevant standards and codes of practice applicable in Ireland.

By the end of the day, participants will understand the terms and themes of the topic and be able to interpret and evaluate a microclimate report.

Learning Outcomes and Course Programme

The first half of the training will focus on background and theory and the afternoon session with be focused on practical applications. On successful completion of this course, delegates will have an understanding of:

  • Climate and atmospheric circulations: what is wind and how it is formed?
  • Climate statistics and conditional probabilities: what are the weather conditions and how do they interact?
  • Bluff body aerodynamics: how does the wind interact with an obstruction?
  • Microclimate Analysis: what happens in an urban environment?
  • Pedestrian comfort from both a wind speed and thermal perspective, and pollutant concentrations and emissions. When is it too hot, too cold or too windy?
  • Modelling and measurement techniques: computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, wind tunnel testing, and field measurements
  • Influence of climate change on the resilience and vulnerability of the urban environment
  • Mitigation Strategies for Wind Effects: Participants will explore and develop strategies to mitigate adverse wind effects, such as landscaping features, physical wind protection measures, alterations to building designs, changes to building placement and orientation.
  • Practical Application of Wind and Microclimate Data: Participants will be equipped to integrate wind and microclimate data into practical design and engineering projects, ensuring that their designs optimise environmental performance and meet industry standards.
  • How to evaluate and interpret a microclimate study

Who should attend

The course is tailored for consulting engineers with an interest in wind engineering, site engineers, town and city planners, architects.

Trainer Profile

Jennifer Keenahan

Jennifer Keenahan is an Associate Professor in Civil engineering at University College Dublin. She currently lectures first, second and third year engineering and architecture students on structural engineering design. Having spent a number of years practicing as an engineer, she achieved her chartership with Engineers Ireland in 2016. She has published over 25 international peer-reviewed journal articles and he has co-organized several international conferences and scientific workshops.

Reamonn Mac Reamoinn

Reamonn Mac Reamoinn is an Associate, Wind and Computational Fluid Dynamics Specialist at Arup Dublin. He has a keen interest in wind engineering and I has completed a two-year research masters in computational wind engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He was awarded the CRH-Fulbright Student Award in 2013 to undertake this research, having achieved his Chartership in 2010. 

Rubina Ramponi

Rubina Ramponi is a Senior Wind Consultant in the Dublin office, and the global manager of Arup’s Wind Skills Network. She joined Arup in 2013 after completing a PhD on the computational modelling of urban wind flow and natural ventilation in buildings. Since joining Arup, she has worked in the UK, USA and Europe and gained experience in microclimate design and wind engineering. 

EI

Engineers Ireland supports the Sustainable Development Goals. This event contributes to Engineers Ireland's Sustainability Framework.

Please contact the Team for further information on scheduled course dates and In-Company options. You can reach us by phone: 01 665 1305 or email cpdtraining@engineersireland.ie