2025 - 2025
Jeronimus van Beeck
Marija Rešetar
Gertjan Glabeke
Thomas Arnoult
Hrvoje Kozmar
Felix Nieto
+4 more
2025 - 2025
Genoa Port microclimate study by WindCube 400S and wind-tunnel tests to drive CFD for wind loads on harbour cranes
ERIES-CRANES
Dataset Description
This dataset contains field measurement data of flow fields and experimental data on the aerodynamic loading of ship-to-shore (STS) container cranes exposed to both synoptic and non-synoptic wind conditions. STS cranes are among the tallest structures in port environments and are therefore highly sensitive to extreme wind events. Non-synoptic wind fields—present during thunderstorms—can generate transient and localized loads that exceed standard design assumptions, potentially causing structural damage or operational risk.
Wind field measurements were conducted in the Port of Genoa Pra' using the ERIES RI UniGe WindCube 400S LiDAR system to identify and catalogue non-synoptic wind events and STS container crane wake signatures.
Aerodynamic experiments were carried out in the Giovanni Solari Wind Tunnel at the University of Genoa using a high-frequency force balance (HFFB). The tests measured forces and moments acting on a model-scale STS crane under various wind profiles and configurations, including scenarios with and without an ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) in proximity.
The dataset provides:
⦁ Field-measured wind profiles.
⦁ Experimental inlet profiles used for wind tunnel testing.
⦁ Aerodynamic force and moment data for the STS crane model across multiple wind directions.
⦁ Pressure distribution data for the ULCV.
The data aim to support the improvement of current wind load estimation standards, such as EN 13001-2:2014, by extending aerodynamic databases to include non-synoptic conditions relevant to harbour environments.
Specimens
1. Scale model of a ship-to-shore (STS) crane
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A 1:250 scale wind-tunnel model of a ship-to-shore (STS) crane was designed and constructed. The model was derived from an existing design available on Trimble’s SketchUp 3D Warehouse and was dimensionally cross-checked against construction drawings of comparable, operational cranes. Three distinct crane configurations can be represented using this model:
1. Crane with the boom in a horizontal position;
2. Crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a 40-foot general-purpose container attached;
3. Crane with the boom in a vertical position.
The crane was installed isolated within a simplified quay environment based on the Port of Genoa layout, and aerodynamic forces were measured under various synoptic and non-synoptic inflow conditions:
1. An offshore boundary layer profile for wind directions originating from the sea, and a rural profile for those approaching over land (36 wind angles in total);
2. Two different thunderstorm wind profiles with comparable nose heights (for 7 wind angles), but differing turbulence intensities, as described by Aldereguía Sánchez C., Tubino F., Bagnara A., and Piccardo G. (2023) Experimental Simulation of Thunderstorm Profiles in an Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel, Applied Sciences, 13, 8064.
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1. Isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position - synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position and in synoptic wind conditions (i.e. offshore or rural inflow). These measurements are taken at 36 different wind directions, at 10° increments. The crane coordinate system is offset by 12° with respect to North (as in the port of Genoa).
The reference height for the measured boundary layer is set to 50 m (full scale), with the Italian Guide for the Assessment of Wind Actions and Effects on Structures (CNR) adopted as the target profile, using a design wind speed of 28 m/s at 10 m height. As a roughness length a z₀ = 0.05 m for rural and z₀ = 0.003 m for offshore conditions is used with a full scale frequency of 5Hz (based on Holmes J D 2018 Wind Loading of Structures (Boca Raton: CRC Press))
As the Reynolds dependency study revealed no significant variation of the force coefficients with wind speed, a single speed (between 8 and 10 m/s) at reference height was used for all wind directions.
Instrumentation
• Force measurement
The wind loads are measured using a six-component, high-frequency piezoelectric force balance (Kistler type 9257B Q02) in combination with a signal-conditioning unit.
• Flow velocity measurement
The wind-tunnel flow velocity is measured using a Pitot–static tube positioned 20 cm below the test-section roof and upstream of the model to prevent flow interference. The measured velocity is corrected to the reference height using a velocity ratio derived from the target profiles obtained with a Cobra Probe.
• Target profiles measurement
The target profiles are measured using a Cobra Probe (Turbulent Flow Instrumentation Pty Ltd), which can resolve the three velocity components and the local static pressure in real time. With a measurement range of ±45° and operating frequencies exceeding 2 kHz, the probe is particularly well-suited to characterising turbulent flow fields.
2. Isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position - non-synoptic winds
Two non-synoptic profiles (TS1 and TS2) were considered, corresponding to a nose height of approximately 50 m and two different turbulence levels of 10% and 15%, which are comparable to those observed under synoptic wind conditions. The mean wind speed of the thunderstorm profiles follows the prescriptions proposed by Wood and Kwok. As there is limited guidance on full-scale turbulence intensity for such events, values comparable to those adopted for rural and offshore conditions were selected: 10% and 15%. The design wind speed was set to 28 m/s at a reference height of 10 m.
Force balance measurements were performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position for 10°, 40°, 70°, 100°, 130° and 160° wind directions.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
3. Isolated crane with the boom in a vertical position - synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a vertical position and in synoptic wind conditions (i.e. offshore or rural inflow) as described in Experiment 1.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
4. Isolated crane with the boom in a vertical position - non-synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a vertical position and in non-synoptic wind conditions (i.e. TS1 and TS2) as described in Experiment 2.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
5. Isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a 40-foot general-purpose container attached - synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a 40-foot general-purpose container attached, in synoptic wind conditions (i.e. offshore or rural inflow) as described in Experiment 1.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
6. Isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a 40-foot general-purpose container attached - non-synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on an isolated crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a 40-foot general-purpose container attached, in non-synoptic wind conditions (i.e. TS1 and TS2) as described in Experiment 2.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
2. Scale model of a port including an Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV) and three STS cranes
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The STS crane of Specimen 1 was subsequently placed in a more realistic harbour environment, incorporating two additional identical cranes and a model of an Ultra Large Container Vessel (ULCV). The vessel model is based on a generic hull form, scaled to represent larger dimensions—360–380 m in length—at a scale of 1:250, resulting in a length at the waterline (LWL) of approximately 1.4 m. This model has previously been employed in wind-tunnel experiments at the von Karman Institute as part of the EVERBLUE project (VLAIO cSBO – HBC.2022.0663). Two cargo configurations were tested in this campaign:
1. no cargo
2. realistic cargo configuration
Aerodynamic forces on the central crane and pressure coefficients on the ship were measured under various synoptic and non-synoptic inflow conditions:
1. An offshore boundary-layer profile for wind directions originating from the sea, and a rural profile for those approaching over land (36 wind angles in total);
2. Two distinct thunderstorm wind profiles with comparable nose heights (for seven wind angles) but differing turbulence intensities, as described by Aldereguía Sánchez, C., Tubino, F., Bagnara, A., and Piccardo, G. (2023). Experimental Simulation of Thunderstorm Profiles in an Atmospheric Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel. Applied Sciences, 13, 8064.
stl
stl
1. Ultra Large Container Vessel carrying no cargo - synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on the central crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a model of an ULCV with no cargo. Measurements are taken at 36 different wind directions, at 10° increments, for two synoptic wind conditions (i.e. offshore or rural inflow). The crane coordinate system is offset by 12° with respect to North (as in the port of Genoa).
The pressure distribution over the ULCV is determined simultaneously using 72 pressure taps located across the ship's hull and deck.
The reference height for the measured boundary layer is set to 50 m (full scale), with the Italian Guide for the Assessment of Wind Actions and Effects on Structures (CNR) adopted as the target profile, using a design wind speed of 28 m/s at 10m height. As a roughness length a z₀ = 0.05 m for rural and z₀ = 0.003 m for offshore conditions is used with a full scale frequency of 5Hz (based on Holmes J D 2018 Wind Loading of Structures (Boca Raton: CRC Press))
As the Reynolds dependency study revealed no significant variation of the force coefficients with wind speed, a single speed (between 8 and 10 m/s) at reference height was used for all wind directions.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is similar to that employed in the experiments on Specimen 1. In addition, the pressure distribution over the ULCV is recorded using 72 pressure taps, with data acquired through a SCANIVALVE pressure measurement system (MPS4164 – Miniature Analogue Pressure Scanner).
2. Ultra Large Container Vessel carrying no cargo - non-synoptic winds
The same two non-synoptic profiles (TS1 and TS2) as for Specimen 1 were considered, corresponding to a nose height of approximately 50 m and two different turbulence levels of 10% and 15%, which are comparable to those observed under synoptic wind conditions. The mean wind speed of the thunderstorm profiles follows the prescriptions proposed by Wood and Kwok. As there is limited guidance on full-scale turbulence intensity for such events, values comparable to those adopted for rural and offshore conditions were selected: 10% and 15%. The design wind speed was set to 28 m/s at a reference height of 10 m.
Force balance measurements are performed on the central crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a model of an ULCV with no cargo. The measurements are taken at wind directions of 10°, 40°, 70°, 100°, 130° and 160°.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
3. Ultra Large Container Vessel carrying a realistic cargo loading - synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on the central crane with the boom in a horizontal position and a model of an ULCV with a realistic cargo loading. The model was exposed to synoptic wind conditions (i.e. offshore or rural inflow) as described in Experiment 1.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
4. Ultra Large Container Vessel carrying a realistic cargo loading - non-synoptic winds
Force balance measurements are performed on the central crane with the boom in a horizontal position, with a ULCV model carrying realistic cargo, and in non-synoptic wind conditions (i.e. TS1 and TS2), as described in Experiment 2.
Instrumentation
The instrumentation used is identical to the one of Experiment 1.
3. Field measurements with Windcube 400S
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Field-measured wind profiles (RHI-scan) from the ERIES RI UniGe WindCube 400S lidar system deployed in the Port of Genoa Pra' (05/2025 - 06/2025)
1. Field Testing of Wind Conditions and STS-crane Wake Characteristics
From 07/05/2025 to 26/06/2025, the WindCube 400S operated repeated Range Height Indicator (RHI) scans.
Each RHI scan covers an azimuthal sector ranging approximately from 40° to 100° from North, with a 5° step between successive azimuth positions. For each azimuth position, 40 elevation rays are acquired over a range of 0.5° to 20° elevation, producing a vertically resolved cross-section of the atmospheric flow field.
The radial measurement range extends from approximately 150 m to 1750 m. Although the instrument samples at a native range gate spacing of 10 m, the processed dataset is provided at an effective spatial resolution of 75 m, as defined by the acquisition and processing configuration.
Each RHI scan is acquired sequentially with a per-ray acquisition time of 0.5 s. Consequently, each azimuth position requires approximately 20 s to complete. Accounting for all azimuth positions within the scanning sector and including mechanical steering between positions, the total duration of a complete RHI scan is approximately 4–4.5 minutes.
This scanning geometry enables observation of the flow field in the vicinity of ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, capturing both upstream and downstream conditions relative to the quay. The selected sector is well suited for resolving wind structures interacting with port infrastructure under both synoptic and non-synoptic atmospheric conditions.
Instrumentation
The Doppler lidar operated by the University of Genoa is a WindCube 400S (WLS400S-118). The instrument is installed at the tip of a quay in the western part of the Port of Genoa Pra’ (44°25'2.96"N, 8°46'36.30"E), approximately 5 m above sea level (ASL).
Project Metadata
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.
CC BY 4.0
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