Preliminary Study of Wind Interaction with a Gable Roof – Wind Tunnel Experiment with Downscale Model

This preliminary study investigates the aerodynamic interaction between airflow and a downscaled model of a house with a gable roof. The experiment focuses on determining the acting forces and wake topology which are critical for structural integrity. A modular model with a 30°roof slope was manufactured using FDM 3D printing and mounted inside a wind tunnel to allow for precise angle adjustment. The experimental methodology utilized a 6-component tensometer to measure the aerodynamic forces acting on the leeward side of the roof at wind speeds of 25 m/s and yaw angles from 0° to 90°. Furthermore, Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was employed to map the mean velocity fields in the near wake. Results indicate that the wake structure is strongly three-dimensional and that the area of the recirculation bubble grows as the angle of attack increases.