Numerical simulation of turbulent airflow around a tall telecommunication tower model

Abstract

In this study, wind flow around a telecommunication tower (Milad Tower) model was numerically simulated. Several computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and the Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) models. Two cases resembling the tower head with different inlet turbulence intensity profiles were considered, and computational results for wind flow and pressure distributions on various sections around the tower head and structure were presented and compared with the available wind tunnel data. Good agreement of the simulated pressure coefficient distributions around the head section in the windward and leeward sides of the tower with the wind tunnel data was observed. The regions with positive and negative pressures on the tower surface were identified based on the pressure coefficient distributions. In addition, the airflow characteristics around a model of the entire Milad Tower were studied. The simulation results for the airflow and the drag and lift coefficients acting on the tower for the high and low-intensity winds were evaluated and discussed. It was demonstrated that the DDES model was preferred for the simulation of mean pressure coefficients over the tower; however, the RNG k–ε model results, which were obtained at lower computational costs, were also satisfactory. In addition, the DDES showed better performance in simulating the maximum and minimum pressure coefficients on different tower levels and predicting the mean aerodynamics drag and lift coefficients. The results of the DDES model illustrated the higher power spectral density of velocity fluctuations on the leeward side of the tower compared with the windward side.