Experimental analysis of flow structures and forces on a 3D-bluff-body in constant cross-wind

The effect of cross-wind on a bluff-body in ground proximity is analysed experimentally. A recently introduced wind-tunnel model is used to analyse the effect of flow structures on the global forces and global moments. This study aims at creating a large database of the flow produced in the proximity of this bluff-body and giving some new insight into the physical mechanisms responsible for the increase in force in cross-wind situations. The importance of the model's lee side to the global yawing moment is put forward. Two vortices are identified and changes in the slope of the yawing moment versus yaw angle are attributed to their presence.