The Oxford Handbook of Non-Synoptic Wind Storms [Hardcover]

Worldwide, much of the damage due to wind is caused by non-synoptic, local wind storm events, such as tornadoes and downbursts. The need is clear to better understand non-synoptic local winds; properly simulate them; assess the difference in loading between these events and synoptic large-scale winds; determine their statistics and associated risks; and apply this through guidelines, codes, risk mitigation, and adaptation responses to socioeconomic impact. This Handbook features a cohesive collection of 25 articles, contributed by leading scientists, scholars, and engineers. Together, they provide clear definitions of the problems to be tackled, identify the best-suited tools and methodologies to address them, suggest ways to maximize collaborative planning, and offer a strategic framework for forward-looking research.In different areas of the world, much of the damage due to wind is caused by non-synoptic, local wind storm events, such as tornadoes and downbursts. In North America the damage due to these winds is more than 65% of total wind damage, and there are no guidelines or code implementations to deal with such catastrophic events. As we enter the third decade of the twenty-first century, current research is in its first phase of addressing these types of events, from their characterization, simulation, and loading, to collapse-mode effects on buildings and structures, as well as socioeconomic implications. The need is clear to better understand non-synoptic local winds; properly simulate them; assess the difference in loading between these events and synoptic large-scale winds that have been part of the wind engineering practice for more than five decades; determine their statistics and associated risks; and apply this through guidelines, codes, risk mitigation, and adaptation responses to socioeconomic impact.The Oxford Handbook of Non-Synoptic Wind Storms, led by Dr. Horia Hangan and Dr. Ahsan Kareem, features nearly 30 chapters, contributed by anlÃ/