Validation Case: Wind Loads on an Isolated Building

This validation case analyses the steady-state fluid flow around an isolated building. The aim is to validate the flow around the building using the numerical simulation results of SimScale against the experiments carried out at the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ)\(^1\).

Geometry

The geometry is a rectangular block based on the physical setup.

Analysis Type and Domain

Tool Type: OPENFOAM®

Analysis Type: Incompressible steady-state analysis

Turbulence Model: k-omega SST

Mesh and Element types:

The “Hex-dominant parametric (only CFD)” tool was used to mesh the domain. Different mesh refinements were applied to get a good quality mesh.

Mesh type	Number of cells	Element Type
Hex-dominant parametric	$1.411\times {107}^{}$	3D hex

Simulation Setup

Fluid:

• Air
  • \((\nu)\) Kinematic viscosity: 1.55e-5 \(m^2 \over \ s\)
  • \((\rho)\) Density: 1 \(kg \over\ m^3\)

Boundary Conditions:

Parameter	Top and Side faces	Inlet	Outlet	Building and Bottom walls
Velocity \([m/s]\)	Slip wall	From File upload	Zero Gradient	No-Slip wall
Pressure \([Pa]\)	Slip wall	Zero Gradient	$0.0$	Zero Gradient
$k$ \([m^2/s^2]\)	Slip wall	3.75e-3	Zero Gradient	Wall Functions
omega \([1/s]\)	Slip wall	3.375	Zero Gradient	Wall Functions

The velocity at the inlet is assigned through the file-upload option provided on the platform. An atmospheric boundary layer profile is implemented at the inflow. The file corresponds to the velocity profile provided by experiments\(^1\).

Results Comparison

The numerical simulation results of longitudinal velocity at different planes are compared with experimental results provided in study\(^1\).

Last updated: July 30th, 2021