What Are The Similarities Between Hurricane Katrina And Hong Kong

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As the elevation increases, the wind velocity would increase relatively. Near the Earth’s surface, the motion is opposed due to surface friction and then begins to increase as the height increase till the wind velocity reaches the “gradient height” Since the Industrial Revolution, new materials were invented and allowed architects and engineers to build higher buildings. Thus, the revolution had unexpectedly created a crisis for the architectural industry which many skyscrapers are exposed to extremely wind loads chronically. However, it is impossible for some cities to lower the height of the buildings like New York and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a small island with limited space and resources. Both cities are one of the most recognizable and iconic cities fill with skyscrapers and prosperity and they both experience strong wind loads.

In Hong Kong, the distinct tropical location creates strong hurricane which strikes to the city several times every year. In 2008, the super-typhoon (JANGMI) struck Hong Kong with a maximum 270 km/h wind speed. The most well-known hurricane Katrina struck New York with 280 km/h wind speed. Both hurricanes affected the buildings and cities which raises the awareness of the importance of
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Pressure is the positive wind pressure exerts to the building and suction is the negative wind pressure. These two wind effects can be categorized as part of the aerodynamics which deals with the fluid of motion around the building, and it is different with the stresses and loads act on building. When wind moves against a building it builds up a positive pressure on the windward side and a negative pressure on the leeward side. Depending upon the shape of structure, it may create a negative pressure on the side walls or even the roof. Wind can apply loads to structures from unexpected directions, the pressure various across the surface of the