Aerodynamic analysis of building with zigzag-patterned façade: Insights from large eddy simulation

Abstract

High-rise buildings have diverse shapes and configurations to harmonize with the architectural, engineering, environmental, economic, and functional considerations, and aspirations. However, the architectural shape and configuration plays a vital role in determining the aerodynamic characteristics of the surrounding flow field and wind forces acting on the building. This paper numerically investigates the aerodynamic characteristics of the zigzag-patterned building by adopting the three-dimensional large eddy simulation (LES). The flow around a square cylinder in high Reynolds number is used to valid the numerical method. The results show that the zigzag pattern has a little effect on the mean streamwise velocity but significantly influences the fluctuation of streamwise and vertical velocities in the wake region. It is observed that the zigzag pattern on the leeward wall results in a narrower wake region, while on the windward wall, leads to a thinner and longer shear layers and shorter recirculation region. As for the pedestrian level wind, the flow velocity within the separation area is noticeably reduced when incorporating a zigzag pattern on the windward wall. Moreover, the fluctuating pressure coefficient values at the sidewalls of a building with a zigzag windward wall is significantly smaller than that of a smooth configuration building due to the façade pattern's impact in diminishing the curvature of the nearby separation at the leading edge.