Deep learning-based investigation of wind pressures on tall building under interference effects. Issue 201 (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Gang; Liu, Lingbo; Tao, Dacheng; Song, Jie; Tse, K.T.; Kwok, K.C.S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics. Issue 201(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Machine learning -- Deep learning -- Interference effect -- Wind pressure -- Tall building -- Generative adversarial networks; Wind-pressure -- Periodicals; Buildings -- Aerodynamics -- Periodicals; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Constructions -- Aérodynamique -- Périodiques; Buildings -- Aerodynamics; Wind-pressure; Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jweia.2020.104138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-6105

Abstract

Abstract: Interference effects of tall buildings have attracted numerous studies due to the boom of clusters of buildings in megacities. To fully understand the interference effects, it often requires a substantial amount of wind tunnel tests. Limited wind tunnel tests that only cover part of interference scenarios are unable to fully reveal the interference effects. This study used machine learning techniques to resolve the conflicting requirement between limited wind tunnel tests that produce unreliable results and a completed investigation of the interference effects that is costly. Four machine learning models including decision tree, random forest, XGBoost, generative adversarial networks (GANs), were trained based on 30% of a dataset to predict wind pressure coefficients on the principal building. The GANs model exhibited the best performance in predicting these pressure coefficients. A number of GANs models were then trained based on different portions of the dataset ranging from 10% to 90%. It was found that the GANs model based on 30% of the dataset is capable of predicting pressure coefficients under unseen interference conditions accurately. By using this GANs model, 70% of the wind tunnel test cases can be saved, largely alleviating the cost of this kind of wind tunnel testing study. Highlights: A deep learning model was built to evaluate interference effects of tall buildings. Four machine learning models were trained and compared. Generative adversarial networks model was trained based on limited data set. This model is capable of predicting pressure coefficients under unseen conditions.