Numerical Simulation of Wind Environment in a Hill and Buildings Configuration

Abstract

Numerical simulation of air flow over urban areas is an effective way to analyze and predict the wind environment. This paper presents two dimensional computer model results concerning the effects of buildings and/or a hill on the wind flow. The RANS equations and RNG κ-ε turbulence model used in the simulation are discretized by the finite volume method. The computational solution is based on a pressure correction algorithm of the SIMPLE-type. The inflow boundary conditions are given by wind tunnel experiment. In the presence of only a street canyon formed by two buildings, the ambient wind is accelerated and slightly curved at the roof level. When there exist a hill and a street canyon, the velocity in the canyon is affected by the upwind hill. Another simulation model, which has a hill and two street canyons, is used for comparison. There is a little difference in velocity between a single street canyon and two canyons in the presence of an upwind hill.