Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 94 (2006) 323–339 Monte Carlo simulation of wind velocity fields on complex structures Luigi Carassale à , Giovanni Solari Department Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Genova, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genova, Italy Available online 21 February 2006 Abstract Monte Carlo simulation is becoming a fundamental tool for the design of complex and important wind-excited structures. A common application regards the time-domain dynamic analysis of multi- dof nonlinear structures whose excitation is calculated on the base of simulated wind velocity time- histories. The present paper describes a methodology for the simulation of wind velocity fields over large domains, possibly in zones characterised by complex topography. The modelling of turbulence in non-homogeneous flow condition and some computational aspects related to its simulation are discussed, proposing some strategies for reducing the calculation time. The simulation procedure is applied to the case of the Messina Strait bridge for which the three components of turbulence are simulated over a domain composed by 351 nodes. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Computational wind engineering; Monte Carlo simulation; Atmospheric turbulence; Wind velocity fields 1. Introduction Monte Carlo simulation is a well-established technique in wind engineering and is becoming a fundamental tool for the design of complex and important wind-excited structures. A common application regards the dynamic analysis of multi-dof nonlinear structures for which direct probabilistic techniques are not applicable because of analytic and/or computational difficulties. The methodology can be organized according to the ARTICLE IN PRESS www.elsevier.com/locate/jweia 0167-6105/$ - see front matter r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jweia.2006.01.004 à Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 010 353 2226; fax: +39 010 353 2534. E-mail address: carassale@diseg.unige.it (L. Carassale).