Mean wind flow field around idealized block arrays with various aspect ratios

Abstract

This study investigates the characteristic of spatially averaged mean velocity profile and the flow pattern within urban canopy layer especially in pedestrian level using CFD technique. Large eddies simulation (LES) was used to perform a series of simulation of the flow around block arrays with staggered arrangement under various conditions of aspect ratio, αp (roof-to-frontal area ratio) from 0.33 to 3.0. The spatially-average profiles of both mean wind speed and streamwise velocity over various block arrays were compared with each other. The analysis clarified the following two facts. 1) The vertical mean flow structure inside the canyon change due to change a plan area ratio and block aspect ratio. 2) The horizontal mean flow structure around the block change if pedestrian level change form z = 0.05h to z = 0.25h. This can be translated to the effect of high-rise building to the flow around the building.