Abstract
Significant improvements of computer resources in recent past years allow to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods as an alternative test method for wind tunnel tests in various wind engineering aspects. However the accuracy of CFD simulation mainly depends on careful setup of three main components of a CFD simulation, which are domain size, adopted mesh, and boundary conditions. This paper presents basic theoretical background of use of CFD for atmospheric boundary layer simulations and proper methods recommended for creating domains and meshes for CFD models. It also demonstrates several empirical methods that can be used as boundary conditions in the absence of more accurate data for simulation. The CFD simulation results of pressure distribution of 112m tall buildings is compared with the wind tunnel test results and found that performance of those empirical methods is satisfactory. The use of CFD simulation for flow visualization around a tall building and evaluating pedestrian level wind velocities are also demonstrated in this paper. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v46i3.6784 ENGINEER, Vol. 46, No.03, pp. 43-54 2013
Highlights
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are being widely used by engineers for various wind engineering studies such as determine wind loads on buildings, evaluating wind flow patterns in built areas, predicting pollutants depression patterns in urban areas, evaluate pedestrian level wind comfort, etc
The concern of wind engineering is increasing among Sri Lankan engineers and policy makers due to increase of damages due to frequent occurrence of high wind events and construction of many tall buildings in city centres, which are more susceptible to wind loads
Due to the under predicting nature of flow separation and wake structure of standard k – ε model, it is advisable to use this figure as a qualitative measure rather than as a quantitative measure
Summary
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are being widely used by engineers for various wind engineering studies such as determine wind loads on buildings, evaluating wind flow patterns in built areas, predicting pollutants depression patterns in urban areas, evaluate pedestrian level wind comfort, etc. According to the authors’ point of the view wind engineering is not as much as developed compared to the other branches of civil engineering in Sri Lanka. There is no wind tunnel facility available in Sri Lanka to conduct detailed wind analysis. This paper is to cover basic knowledge of CFD simulation for simple modelling case, such as flow around a tall building within atmospheric boundary layer. The author would like to remind that, this paper only presents a brief explanation of some basic features of CFD simulation and for more details direct to read vigorous and critical studies [1, 2, 3].
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