Pedestrian Wind Distribution Within an Urban University City Campus using Wind Tunnel Test

Abstract

There is a necessity to further explore the pedestrian wind studies in Malaysia as in concerning the impact and risk of hazard wind towards community due to the occurrence of strong wind events. The gradually increase of high-rise buildings in an urban city might lead to artificial strong wind, causing wind discomfort or infrastructure damages, In this study, the research framework is demonstrated and the wind distribution within Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (UTMKL) city campus is revealed by conducting wind tunnel test. The results showed that the high wind speeds are spotted near high buildings (MJIIT, Menara Razak, and Residensi Tower of UTMKL) where U(z)/U(zref) ranging from 0.60-0.90. Factors that are causing the wind amplification near tall buildings are downdraft wind at windward of building, wakes at corners, and leeward of building, as well as the venturi effect occurred between two tall buildings. The layout of the buildings also shall be one of the factors that affecting the wind distribution, as there is a case where a group of buildings served as a shelter and refrained the wind to flow through some areas. This preliminary result is also aligned with the storm event that happened. Thus, for the sake of the safety and comfort of the pedestrians, incorporating the wind tunnel data in the future master planning in this city campus should be considered to reduce the wind nuisance issues