Post-disaster investigations of damage feature of buildings and structures due to several local strong winds in China during 2021–2024

Local strong winds such as tornados and downbursts are rare in terms of measured wind speed data due to their rapid formation and strong destructive power. Post-disaster investigations have become an important approach for rating the strength of these two kind of winds and analyzing structural failure mechanism. From 2021 to 2024, several tornados and downbursts occurred in China. This study delineated changes in the intensity levels of wind disasters along their paths based on on-site disaster investigations and established standards for the level of structural damage based on the extent of functional loss and repair. This study focused on the damage feature to light steel structures, masonry structures, steel-concrete structures, and pole structures , and discussed the causes of the damage from the perspectives of construction and force transmission mechanisms. In addition, this study estimated the equivalent wind speeds based on the damage feature of pole structures and metal roof claddings. To reproduce the damage process for a group of high-rise buildings, the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) technology is used to simulate the airflow distribution inside buildings under two conditions of open and closed interior doors. The investigation results can provide useful information for the wind intensity classification and rating standards in China. Meanwhile, compared with the interior doors being open or closed, closing indoor doors during strong winds can significantly reduce indoor wind speeds, which is beneficial for ensuring safety. • The damage feature of buildings and structures were analyzed by post-disaster investigations for due to several local strong winds in China during 2021-2024. • Some new wind damage indicators were proposed based on their damage feature, such as photovoltaic streetlight pole and metal roof claddings. • A numerical simulation of the damage process for an accident occurred in Nanchang as an example, providing a scientific basis for post-disaster recovery and disaster prevention.