Temperature-wind interactions and implications for civil engineering in the Congolese tropics

Marien Cardelin MANGALA, Jarlon Brunel MAKELA, Stanislas Kevin MBEKE

Abstract


Temperature has a strong influence on wind modelling, acting on pressure gradients and convective movements, which directly affect the loads on structures. In Central Africa, this climatic interaction must be taken into account to ensure the stability and durability of structures. This study analyzes the correlation between maximum temperatures and maximum wind speeds in several Congolese localities, based on data from meteorological stations. The approach combines descriptive statistics, visualizations (whisker boxes, histograms), simple linear regressions as well as the examination of possible transformations to optimize the quality of the fit, and residual analysis. The results show considerable regional variability: some cities (e.g. Pointe-Noire) show significant correlations, while others (Dolisie, Makoua) reveal weak or inverse relationships. These differences can be explained by geographical or microclimatic factors. The low coefficients of determination highlight the limitations of linear models, underlining the interest of non-linear or artificial intelligence-based methods to improve wind speed prediction. In terms of civil engineering, these results call for the design of infrastructures adapted to increasing climatic hazards.

Keywords


Temperature; wind; speed; climate modeling; stability

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