Vertical Pulsating Wind Simulation Using Panofsky Spectrum

Vertical pulsating wind simulation is a critical aspect of wind engineering and structural wind resistance analysis, primarily used to evaluate the dynamic response of structures like buildings or bridges under wind loads. The harmonic superposition method is a commonly used simulation technique that generates wind speed time histories conforming to target power spectra by superimposing multiple harmonic components with random phase angles. In code implementation, this typically involves generating Fourier coefficients with amplitudes determined by spectral values and phases randomized uniformly between 0 and 2π. The Panofsky spectrum serves as a classical wind velocity spectrum model, particularly suitable for describing vertical pulsating wind characteristics within the atmospheric boundary layer. During simulation, spectral parameters obtained from field measurements or recommended by standards guide the adjustment of harmonic component amplitudes and frequency distributions. Programmatically, this requires implementing spectral density functions that calculate amplitude scaling factors based on frequency-dependent Panofsky spectrum formulations. Power spectrum comparison constitutes a crucial validation step for simulation results. The accuracy of simulation methods is evaluated by examining the congruence between simulated wind speed power spectra and target spectra (such as the Panofsky spectrum). Code validation typically involves computing periodograms using FFT algorithms and comparing spectral estimates across key frequency ranges. Good matching within primary frequency bands indicates that simulation results effectively capture the statistical characteristics of actual wind fields.