A prototype mesh generation tool for CFD simulations in architecture domain

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been introduced to the architectural engineering and HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) industry for decades. However, the mesh generation process is complicated and time consuming, especially for free form geometric artifacts, e.g., human bodies in the room or buildings in complex terrains. This paper presents an effort to apply quality mesh generation for CFD simulations in the architectural context. A prototype meshing tool is developed to construct adaptive quadrilateral meshes from two-dimensional image data, e.g., architecture drawings. First the quadtree based isocontouring method is utilized to generate initial uniform quadrilateral meshes in the immediate region of the objects. Meshes are further decomposed into finer quads adaptively near the surface of the object without introducing any hanging nodes. Boundary layers are then generated using the pillowing technique and the thickness of the boundary layer is controlled to achieve the desired y + values for different near wall turbulence models. Finally, meshes are extended to the ambient domain with desired sizes, where flow fields are assumed to be relatively steady. The developed tool has been employed to generate meshes for CFD simulations of scenarios commonly existing in the indoor and outdoor environment.