Pressure distribution on rectangular buildings with changes in aspect ratio and wind direction

Abstract

This study aims to enhance the understanding of the surface pressure distribution around rectangular bodies, by considering aspects such as the suction pressure at the leading edge on the top and side faces when the body aspect ratio and wind direction are changed. We carried out wind tunnel measurements and numerical simulations of flow around a series of rectangular bodies (a cube and two rectangular bodies) that were placed in a deep turbulent boundary layer. Based on a modern numerical platform, the Navier–Stokes equations with the typical two-equation model (i.e., the standard k-e model) were solved, and the results were compared with the wind tunnel measurement data. Regarding the turbulence model, the results of the k-e model are in overall agreement with the experimental results, including the existing data. However, because of the blockage effects in the computational domain, the pressure recovery region is underpredicted compared to the experimental data. In addition, the k-e model sometimes will fail to capture the exact flow features. The primary emphasis in this study is on the flow characteristics around rectangular bodies with various aspect ratios and approaching wind directions. The aspect ratio and wind direction influence the type of wake that is generated and ultimately the structural loading and pressure, and in particular, the structural excitation. The results show that the surface pressure variation is highly dependent upon the approaching wind direction, especially on the top and side faces of the cube. In addition, the transverse width has a substantial effect on the variations in surface pressure around the bodies, while the longitudinal length has less influence compared to the transverse width.