A sudden horizontal gust of wind strikes the flat vertical wall of a warehouse
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Work Energy and Power · Work Energy and Power
Problem
A sudden horizontal gust of wind strikes the flat vertical wall of a warehouse. Assume the gust occupies a slab of air 15 m thick directly in front of the wall, which has dimensions 20 m (width) by 10 m (height). The speed of the air in the gust is 15 m/s and the density of air may be taken as 1.2 kg m−3. Answer the following.
(i) Estimate the mass of air contained in the portion of the gust that will strike the wall within the first second.
(ii) Calculate the kinetic energy carried by this mass of air.
(iii) High-explosive TNT releases approximately 4.2 MJ of energy per kilogram on detonation. Determine the mass of TNT that would release the same energy as computed in part (ii).
(iv) Discuss briefly (two points) what your result implies about the potential for wind-related structural damage during severe storms.