Numerical investigation on the drag reduction properties of a suction controlled high-rise building

Abstract

To reduce the wind-induced drag and improve the wind-resistance performance of a high-rise building, steady suction control is introduced into the building structure. Based on validation of the numerical methods by experiment with suction control over the flow separation of a 3D backward-facing step, the Reynolds stress equation model is used to investigate the drag reduction (DR) properties of a high-rise building whose side faces are controlled by all-height suction. Effects of the orifice geometrical parameters and suction flux parameters on the DR and the separation control are analyzed, and the detailed flow fields are shown to clarify the mechanism of suction control. The results indicate that suction control is very effective in reducing the wind loads on the high-rise building model, and only the dimensionless suction flux dominates. Lastly, the power consumed and the counterforce induced by suction are discussed, the suction models become the “zero-drag” model under certain suction angles.