Advanced and Robust Analysis of Wind Effects
It has now been eight years since Windtech first commenced wind tunnel testing and wind engineering consulting services for the New Sydney Fish Market. Returning to the completed project was a special moment for Tony, Simon, Elias and Matt, key members of our team who were closely involved in the project from its earliest design phases.
Walking through the waterfront promenades and pausing along the broad public steps, it was immensely rewarding to experience firsthand the grandness of this significant, wind sensitive roof structure and tall glazed façade which were the subject of very detailed wind tunnel studies, including assessment of loads during the construction phases. We were also delighted to wander through the carefully curated wind conditions in the various outdoor areas across the site. The outdoor areas, including the generous seating terraces and seating over the steps overlooking Blackwattle Bay, demonstrate how thoughtful wind engineering and rigorous wind tunnel testing can directly shape public comfort.
With the new market now open for three months and projected to attract 10 million visitors annually, the precinct is already alive with energy. The movement of people through the main steps, waterfront dining areas, and open circulation zones highlights the importance of performance-based wind engineering in creating spaces that are both vibrant and comfortable throughout the year.
From the earliest concept stages, the New Sydney Fish Market required detailed wind engineering analysis for the wind loading on the cladding and structure as well as to ensure that the ambitious architectural vision could be realised without compromising the pedestrian comfort, operational performance and transparency both inward and outward.
Through advanced wind tunnel testing in our boundary-layer wind tunnel facility, Windtech assessed:
The modelling and iterative refinement process allowed the design team to fine-tune each of the elements of the built form, the balustrades, wind screens and landscaping to achieve suitable comfort criteria while maintaining the openness and transparency that define the project.
Seeing the completed development in operation, with bustling public spaces and comfortable outdoor seating areas, is a testament to the value of early, integrated wind tunnel testing for a wind exposed major waterfront projects such as this.
The ambience of the new market is striking, with such a grand high clearance space inside, with the roof continuing in the form of a very large elevated cantilevered structure supported by deep laminated timber beams. The transparency of its operations, the visual connection to the harbour and the seamless flow between indoor and outdoor areas create an experience that feels both contemporary and distinctly Sydney.
Our recent site visit was made possible thanks to Infrastructure NSW, whose team generously showed us through the precinct and provided insight into the project’s delivery and ongoing operation. It was fascinating to observe how the architectural intent and engineering performance have come together in the built outcome.
Delivering a project of this scale required collaboration across a highly experienced consultant and construction team:
Architects: Bligh Voller Neild and 3XN/GXN
Landscape Architect: Aspect Studios
Construction: Multiplex
Engineering & Advisory: Mott MacDonald
Structural Engineering: WSP, Northrop and TTW
Project Management & Advisory: Infrastructure NSW
Independent Certifier: WT Partnership
Windtech is proud to have contributed specialist wind engineering and wind tunnel testing expertise to this landmark development. The New Sydney Fish Market demonstrates how integrated environmental analysis can enhance design quality, protect user comfort and support the long-term success of major public infrastructure.
Eight years on, it is deeply satisfying to see the precinct thriving and to feel, quite literally, the carefully engineered wind environment at work.
Figure 1. Aerial Image of Lake Shore Boulevard West Development
Occupying the 28-acre former Mr. Christie factory site, the development by First Capital REIT and Pemberton Group will transform the western lakeshore into a mixed-use, transit-oriented precinct anchored by a new integrated GO Station and TTC Hub. The plan includes multiple residential and commercial towers—several exceeding 200 m in height—together with retail, offices, and extensive public realm improvements that reconnect the city with the waterfront.
Windtech’s wind engineers delivered comprehensive wind tunnel testing, wind-induced structural load and motion testing, and façade cladding pressure studies for the first 3 towers, all conducted in its Sydney-based boundary-layer wind tunnel, utilising the firm’s advanced multi-sector analysis method to post-process the results. Windtech also conducted thermal stack-effect assessments for the towers. The studies were instrumental in shaping an aerodynamically efficient design that met stringent comfort and serviceability criteria while minimising material use, cost, and embodied carbon.
Precision Engineering and Performance-Based Design
The studies covered Towers C1 (154 m), D1.1 (223 m), and D2.1 (212 m), all slender residential structures rising from shared podiums.
Windtech’s multi-sector analysis of climate directionality proved pivotal in demonstrating that these slender towers can meet the limits on tip deflections and occupant comfort. By integrating aerodynamic responses across the various wind sectors, our wind engineers avoided the built-in conservatism inherent in sector-by-sector analysis.
This precision offered more than data accuracy; it was a form of risk mitigation. For towers operating near their motion limits, the ability to identify the exact wind sectors driving those peak responses allowed the structural engineer to fine-tune the structure without resorting to conservative redesign. In practical terms, the analysis avoided the need for costly supplemental dampers or structural thickening that often follows when less-sophisticated directional methods are used.
The outcome was a set of refined equivalent static load cases that faithfully represented the true aerodynamic behaviour of each tower, supporting both design confidence and material efficiency, a rare combination in high-rise performance engineering.
Cost and Embodied-Carbon Efficiencies
The design optimisations derived from Windtech’s wind tunnel testing resulted in substantial material savings. By proving that the towers could perform safely within serviceability and comfort criteria with no significant modification to the proposed structural system, the engineers eliminated the need for additional stiffening of the cores or the introduction of heavy outriggers, leading to:
These efficiencies demonstrate how performance-based wind design/testing can drive both economic and environmental outcomes—a key advantage in the development of this scale.
Façade and Environmental Studies
A wind tunnel study of the façade pressures used more than 1,000 sensors to map localised load effects across façades, balconies, soffits, and podium elements. Contours of maximum and minimum net pressures are presented in the report in a format that facilitates the design of the cladding and glazing systems.
Figure 2. Close up photo of the instrumented models in Windtech’s boundary layer wind tunnel facility
Meanwhile, stack-effect modelling identified wintertime pressure differentials at elevator lobbies and podium entries. Mitigations such as added vestibules and segmented lift lobbies were incorporated, ensuring occupant comfort and efficient HVAC operation year-round
A Holistic, Low-Impact Outcome
By integrating aerodynamic optimisation, façade pressure mapping, and environmental airflow analysis, Windtech’s wind engineers enabled the project team to achieve high-rise resilience with minimal material intensity. The studies ensured:
The 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West development now stands as an exemplar of how advanced wind engineering can align sustainability, performance, and design economy, proof that smart data beats brute strength.
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We would like to extend our congratulations to Besley & Spresser on receiving the National Commercial Medal at the Concrete Institute of Australia 2025 Excellence in Concrete Awards for the Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo. Windtech is delighted to have collaborated with B&S, delivering tailored wind tunnel studies for this unique harbourside hub. The Pavilion is a striking architectural landmark designed to inspire both connection and creativity.
As part of our involvement in the Pier Pavilion at Barangaroo, Windtech conducted a Pedestrian Wind Environment Wind Tunnel Study to assess wind conditions at key outdoor areas within and around the development. Testing was carried out at Windtech’s boundary layer wind tunnel facility using a 1:400 scale model of the Pavilion. The wind tunnel study confirmed that wind conditions across the critical outdoor locations would be suitable for their intended use, with no adverse impacts identified.
In addition, Windtech provided valuable inputs for the determination of wind loading for the structural design of the Pavilion
Ready to tackle your next complex wind engineering challenge? Discover how Windtech’s innovative wind tunnel studies can transform your project’s performance and efficiency. Please contact our regional offices through our Contact Us page.
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Figure 1: Perspective Image of Terminal F at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport
When Dallas Fort Worth International Airport set out to build Terminal F, it wasn’t just adding another gate; it was engineering a solution to handle 100 million passengers annually by 2030. However, with a massive long-span roof and a complex skylink system, traditional wind load calculations wouldn’t suffice.
That’s where Windtech Consultants stepped in, working alongside PGAL Architects, Innovation Next+, and Turner to solve what would become one of the most sophisticated wind engineering challenges in modern airport design, using state-of-the-art wind tunnel testing.
Terminal F presented a unique engineering puzzle. The expansive terminal structure and elevated skylink system created complex wind interaction patterns that standard approaches couldn’t adequately predict. The long-span upper roof, positioned at the terminal’s heart, demanded a level of precision essential for the project’s structural efficiency.
Traditional analysis methods would have resulted in overly conservative designs, which would have driven up costs and potentially compromised the architectural vision. The team needed something better.
Windtech adopted the multi-sector analysis technique, which is the most rigorous method of combining the wind tunnel testing pressure coefficient data with the local wind climate model. In addition, the area-averaging method was used to accurately determine the loading on the main structural members, an industry-recognised approach for translating detailed wind tunnel testing data into actionable design loads. Rather than focusing on isolated peak pressures at individual points, the area-averaging method considers the combined effect of pressures distributed across larger panels of the structure as indicated in Figure 2. This provides a more realistic representation of how these large structural members experience wind actions.
By carefully defining representative panel sizes and shapes across the terminal envelope, our team delivered wind-induced load cases that accurately reflect the building’s true behaviour under extreme winds from different directions. The outcome: reliable, rationalised pressure distributions that give the structural engineer confidence, avoid overly conservative assumptions, and contribute to a more efficient, cost-effective design.
Figure 2. Panel Layout for Roof of Sector 604 of Terminal F at DFW
The scope extended far beyond structural loads. Windtech conducted exhaustive facade cladding pressure studies across every surface of both the terminal and skylink system, ensuring no detail was overlooked. A comprehensive wind tunnel testing process and wind microclimate assessment evaluated how the new terminal would affect ground-level conditions, protecting passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
Figure 3. Wind Tunnel Testing Model Terminal F at DFW
Aviation projects face a unique challenge that most buildings don’t: Federal Aviation Administration oversight of solar reflectivity. Terminal F’s modern facade and rooftop photovoltaic arrays required careful analysis to prevent solar glint and glare from affecting pilots during critical approach and departure phases.
Windtech’s Solar Light Reflectivity Analysis identified potential problem areas and guided design modifications, ensuring full FAA compliance while maintaining the terminal’s striking architectural aesthetic.
Terminal F now stands as a testament to what’s possible when advanced engineering meets ambitious architecture. The project demonstrates how thoughtful wind tunnel testing and wind engineering can unlock architectural possibilities while delivering measurable value through improved structural efficiency. For an industry where safety, performance, and cost-effectiveness are non-negotiable, Terminal F represents the future of intelligent design.
Ready to tackle your next complex wind engineering challenge? Discover how Windtech’s innovative wind tunnel testing approaches can transform your project’s performance and efficiency. Please contact our regional offices through our Contact Us page.
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Located in the wind-exposed coastal environment of Surfers Paradise, the Cypress Avenue Towers are a landmark high-rise development that demonstrates how performance-based wind engineering can unlock value across design, construction, and long-term operational performance. With Towers 1 and 2 reaching heights of 304 and 261 metres respectively, the complex presented unique engineering challenges.
Windtech Consultants provided a comprehensive suite of services. The team engaged at every stage of the design process—from initial form-finding and code compliance assessments to detailed testing for structural and cladding performance, stack effect, paver uplift, and comfort conditions. Each tower was evaluated under multiple staging scenarios using scaled wind tunnel models and high-resolution proprietary pressure instrumentation. The result was a suite of tailored wind engineering solutions that informed nearly every major design decision.
This project is a clear example of how early engagement with an experienced wind engineering team, such as Windtech, can yield significant dividends in design efficiency, cost savings, and quality outcomes. Developer Meriton, acutely aware of these benefits, sought Windtech’s input from the outset.
At approximately 303 metres (993 feet), the tallest of the Cypress Avenue Towers is set to become the second-tallest building in Australia by highest occupiable floor. With an aspect ratio of 11:1, it posed particular aerodynamic and structural challenges. Windtech initiated the project by reviewing three alternative tower massings, ultimately identifying a preferred scheme due to its superior aerodynamic performance, which resulted in structural cost savings per unit area. This recommendation, backed by preliminary desktop assessments, was adopted by the client and confirmed via wind tunnel testing.
Structural form and wind loads were assessed using Windtech’s hybrid aeroelastic model, offering higher accuracy and cost-effectiveness over the simple aeroelastic models. This method captured positive aerodynamic damping effects, which reduced the overall peak response by 6%. Motion along the tower’s weaker axis was also mitigated through a cost-neutral solution involving the shaping of two 67,000-litre rooftop fire hydrant tanks to act as tuned liquid dampers.
Windtech collaborated closely with the structural engineering team to refine the dynamic response of the towers under wind loading. High-Frequency Pressure Integration (HFPI) testing was conducted on a 1:400 scale model with 36 wind directions and realistic terrain features. Each tower was assessed under three scenarios—Staged, Proposed, and Future—providing comprehensive data on wind demands over time.
Compared to AS1170.2:2021 estimates, wind tunnel-derived ULS base moments for the critical cross-wind governed responses were reduced by 36% to 77%. Torsion loads were reduced by 45% to 60%.
These reductions enabled the design team to optimise structural systems, including shear wall thickness and core reinforcement. Besides the performance-based benefits, the Australian code would not permit a code-based design for the development of this height and slenderness.
Serviceability limit state (SLS) displacements remained within H/500 in all directions, confirming sufficient stiffness without overdesign. Peak accelerations remained within comfort thresholds, with sensitivity analysis provided to demonstrate the effect of variations in frequency, mass, and damping, thereby showing robust design performance.
Importantly, the staged analysis confirmed minimal adverse interactions between towers, validating the phased construction strategy without requiring significant redesign.
Damping requirements were evaluated to ensure occupant comfort, with detailed analysis confirming that no supplemental damping was required at the design stage. However, the foundation was laid for future design decisions should damping solutions become necessary. A decision was made by Meriton, as developer, to shape the fire hydrant tanks to act as tuned liquid dampers to provide an added level of amenity over and above the stipulated criteria, understanding that human sensitivity to building motion varies substantially from one person to another.
Windtech’s pressure study used 1,311 sensors on a 1:400 scale model tested under both Proposed and Future conditions. Data from 36 wind directions was weighted using long-term Bureau of Meteorology data.
Key findings:
Windtech also used surface pressure coefficients to calculate annual mean pressures on HVAC vents and assess paver uplift. These coefficients fed into the stack effect analysis and informed waterproofing detailing.
Wind environment testing targeted the ground plane, podium, and balcony zones. Gust velocities were compared to thresholds for seating, standing and walking comfort.
Wind mitigations included strategic placement of screens, planting as well as positioning of pergolas and gazebos on the podium. In addition, vertical blade walls were introduced for the colonnade and porous screening on sections of the podium enclosing the car parking areas. These interventions were validated by comparative re-testing.
Windtech modelled the stack effects generated under the 99-percentile extreme winter and summer temperatures and with the corresponding high and low wind conditions. Stack effect study identified pressures exceeding the 50Pa capacity of the lift doors at the top floor of the shorter tower (Level 76) as well as a wind entry issue for the entry to the taller tower from podium (Level 6).
For Level 76 of the shorter tower, pressures were mitigated by eliminating lift doors and providing stair access from Level 75 to the private rooftop terraces. Wind entry issues at the entry to the taller tower from the podium were resolved using a canopy and side screens.
Windtech assessed local uplift of the proposed pedestal paver tiles, accounting for the partial pressure equalisation of the proposed paver system (referring to Windtech’s library of its own full-scale test data). The report recommended that the 600×600-20mm pavers (cavity depths ranges from 25mm to 130mm) be interconnected in groups of at least 2 x 3 to be able to resist uplift.
A comprehensive wind noise review was undertaken, examining potential noise from louvres, breeze walls, and balcony screens. Recommendations were made for the internal partition walls and internal doors to avoid them generating noise during high wind event. Minor design changes were proposed to the balcony screen arrangements to prevent Helmholtz resonance.
Windtech’s holistic approach has resulted in a high-quality, integrated and efficient design:
Windtech’s contribution to the Cypress Avenue Towers underscores the value of comprehensive, high-quality, integrated wind engineering. Across structural, façade, mechanical, and environmental comfort domains, Windtech’s unmatched depth of experience and rigorous testing enabled a high-quality design outcome.
This performance-based approach reduced conservatism, improved buildability, and enhanced the occupant experience. The Cypress Avenue Towers exemplify how tall buildings can be designed not just to resist wind, but to provide a positive all-around experience for the occupants.
If you are working on any projects that could benefit from the capabilities presented in this article, please reach out to our regional office via our Contact Us page.
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