A Simulation Study of the Outdoor Wind Environment of Low Carbon Buildings in Cold Regions Based on PHOENICS Software

Abstract

Based on PHOENICS software, the suitability of the outdoor wind environment at pedestrian heights of a low-carbon building under different operating conditions was quantitatively analysed using a κ-ε numerical model of low-speed turbulence. Three simulated conditions for the outdoor wind environment of low carbon buildings were determined by typical annual meteorological parameters for Shijiazhuang in cold regions. Combining the information on the full domain flow field obtained from the numerical simulations, the appropriate wind environment parameters were determined. The analysis of the wind environment indicators revealed that the low carbon buildings studied had clear year-round wind flow lines, with no dead zones and no obvious vortex areas. The wind speed at the pedestrian height of the low carbon building under different working conditions was less than 5 m/s (Wind speed in winter, summer and transitional season were 2.95 m/s, 2.54 m/s, and 3.3 m/s respectively), which meets the requirements of human comfort and standard regulations. The surface pressure difference between the different operating conditions (winter, summer and transitional seasons) of the low carbon building is not higher than 5 Pa, which meets the requirements for wind protection in winter in the area and contributes to the comfort level required for ventilation in summer. The study of the building wind environment can effectively identify the gap between the design and the actual use process, providing effective reference and guidance for the actual construction.