CASE STUDY
2022 Aerodynamics
URBAN WIND FLOW CHARACTERIZATION
Aerodynamics CFD Wind Tunnel Urban Planning
Challenge
Urban building configurations create complex wind patterns that affect pedestrian comfort and safety, but are difficult to predict without testing.
Approach
Combined wind tunnel testing with scaled models and CFD simulations to map flow patterns, pressure distributions, and pedestrian-level wind speeds.
Outcome
Comprehensive flow characterization around multiple urban configurations, with validated CFD models for predicting pedestrian-level wind conditions.
Duration
4 months
Tools
Wind Tunnel CFD ANSYS Fluent MATLAB
Overview
This low-speed aerodynamics project analyzed wind flow patterns around various urban building configurations. The study aimed to understand how building geometry affects pedestrian-level wind conditions.
Methodology
- Wind tunnel testing with scaled urban models
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) validation
- Pressure distribution analysis
- Flow visualization techniques
Applications
Understanding urban wind patterns is crucial for:
- Pedestrian comfort in city planning
- Building HVAC system design
- Wind turbine placement in urban environments
- Structural wind load calculations