Numerical investigation of the impact of bushfire-enhanced wind profiles on structures

It has long been known that extreme bushfire circumstances are always associated with violent winds. There has been a wealth of research devoted to investigating the effect of wind on bushfire spread, but only recently is attention being paid to the enhancement wind by fire and the subsequent impact on buildings. Previous studies have focused on building blocks with simple configurations, however, building structures in reality can be quite complex. This research examines the effects of bushfire-enhanced wind on a typical structural configuration, that is, a building with openings. The computational fluid dynamics approach was employed to reveal pressure distributions, wind velocity, and temperature profiles. The numerical simulations also revealed an interior flow within the building, which is believed to have been caused by the stack effect. Consequently, fire-generated wind pressure loading on the building is different to that on a building with no opening. The analytical information obtained will assist in research on structural response during intense bushfire, furthering the development of relevant standards for better protection of building structures against bushfire attacks.