Course in Wind Analysis of Skyscrapers and Towers
Online course of 300 hours in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers, with 6 modules covering atmospheric wind, code-based wind actions, dynamic response of tall buildings, comfort criteria, wind tunnel testing and CFD, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Characterise atmospheric wind and the boundary layer profile in urban environments.
Calculate wind actions on tall buildings according to Eurocode 1 and ASCE 7.
Assess the along-wind, across-wind and torsional dynamic response of skyscrapers.
Apply occupant comfort criteria based on floor accelerations.
Plan and interpret boundary layer wind tunnel tests.
Model the flow around buildings using CFD simulation.
Propose mitigation measures such as tuned dampers or shape modifications.
Who it's for
- Structural wind engineers who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- High-rise structural engineers who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- CFD specialists in building design who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- Pedestrian wind comfort consultants who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- Wind tunnel testing technicians who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- Tower and mast designers who want to specialise in wind analysis of skyscrapers and towers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into high-rise construction.
What you'll work with
- EN 1991-1-4 (Eurocode 1: wind actions)
- ASCE/SEI 7-22 (minimum design loads)
- ASCE/SEI 49-21 (wind tunnel testing for buildings)
- ISO 4354 (wind actions on structures)
- ISO 10137 (serviceability of buildings against vibration)
- CTE DB SE-AE (actions in building, Spanish Building Code)
- AS/NZS 1170.2 (wind actions)
- ANSYS Fluent
- OpenFOAM
- ETABS
- SAP2000
- MATLAB
6 modules
1.1Mean velocity profiles and terrain roughness1.2Turbulence: intensity, scales and spectra1.3Exposure categories and how to choose them1.4Wind data: stations, reanalysis and return periods1.5Basic wind velocity and its conversion with height1.6Effect of topography and the built environment1.7Wind directionality and wind roses1.8Extreme winds and convective storms1.9Wind climate for a specific location1.10Workshop: characterising the wind at a site
2.1Eurocode EN 1991-1-4: structure and application2.2External and internal pressure coefficients2.3Peak pressure and structural factor2.4Global forces and distribution with height2.5Force coefficients for tall buildings2.6Suction zones on roofs and corners2.7Combinations of actions and partial factors2.8Comparison with ASCE 7 and other codes2.9Limits of applicability of the code2.10Case study: code-based calculation of a tower
3.1Natural frequencies and vibration modes3.2Structural damping and its uncertainty3.3Along-wind response and gust factor3.4Across-wind response and vortex shedding3.5Critical velocity and lock-in3.6Torsional response and coupling3.7Galloping and aeroelastic instabilities3.8Wind-induced fatigue in secondary elements3.9Serviceability criteria and accelerations3.10Laboratory: dynamic response of a building
4.1Human perception of acceleration4.2ISO 10137 criteria and comfort guidelines4.3Return periods for serviceability states4.4Pedestrian comfort at street level4.5Venturi effect between buildings and acceleration zones4.6Pedestrian safety criteria4.7Mitigation through urban design4.8Tuned mass dampers4.9Viscous and liquid dampers4.10Case study: pedestrian comfort study
5.1Rigid pressure and force models5.2Aeroelastic models5.3Similarity and boundary layer scaling5.4Instrumentation and data acquisition in the tunnel5.5CFD for urban wind: RANS versus LES5.6Meshing, domain and boundary conditions5.7Validation and correlation with tests5.8Interpreting results and design loads5.9Cost and lead time of each method5.10Laboratory: wind tunnel versus CFD comparison
6.1Defining the building and its surroundings6.2Site wind climate6.3Code-based calculation of actions6.4Dynamic analysis and comfort criteria6.5Pedestrian wind study6.6Proposing mitigation measures6.7Comparing design alternatives6.8Technical report for the site management team6.9Presentation of results6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, ETABS, SAP2000 and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for boundary layer wind tunnel testing, acceleration monitoring in tall buildings and CFD simulation of urban flow. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: EN 1991-1-4, ASCE/SEI 7-22, ASCE/SEI 49-21, ISO 4354, ISO 10137, CTE DB SE-AE, AS/NZS 1170.2.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The course totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You will work with ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, ETABS, SAP2000 and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and your tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No previous qualification is required. You need an internet connection, a computer capable of running the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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