TECHNICAL PAPERS
Oct 1, 1999

Simulations of Flow and Dispersion around Buildings

Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 4

Abstract

Physical and numerical simulations of the flow of atmospheric boundary layers around a number of building configurations, with pollutant releases from them, are described. Attention is concentrated on the issues that face the numerical modeler. Some inferences are drawn about the likely degree of uncertainty in the use of computational fluid dynamics for such cases, by using comparisons between the results obtained using different modeling choices, and between these results and experimental data. It is demonstrated that decisions concerning the precise details of the turbulence model may often be less important than those concerning details of the specifications of boundary conditions, the mesh construction, and the numerical schemes used to solve the modeled equations. All these factors lead to inevitable uncertainty about the quantitative accuracy of the calculation. The degree of uncertainty depends greatly on the particular quantity of interest and may or may not be significant in a practical case.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Apsley, D. ( 1995). “Numerical modelling of neutrally and stably stratified flow and dispersion in complex terrain,” PhD thesis, University of Surrey, Guildford, U.K.
2.
Atkinson, K. N., and Castro, I. P. ( 1991). “Studies of higher-order convection schemes in computations of a turbulent separated flow.” Numerical methods in laminar & turbulent flows VII, C. Taylor, J. H. Chin, and G. M. Homsy, eds., Pineridge Press, Swansea, U.K., 315–325.
3.
Baetke, F., Werner, H., and Wengle, H. (1990). “Numerical simulation of turbulent flow over surface-mounted obstacles with sharp edges and corners.” J. Wind Engrg. Ind. Aero., 35, 129–147.
4.
Casey, M. V. ( 1996). “Simulation of turbulent flows for industrial applications.” Advances in Turbulence, S. Gavrilakis, L. Machiels, and P. A. Monkwitz, eds., Kluwer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 157–162.
5.
Caughey, S. J., Wyngaard, J. C., and Kaimal, J. C. (1979). “Turbulence in the evolving stable boundary layer.” J. Atmosph. Sci., 36, 1041–1052.
6.
Counihan, J. (1969). “An improved method of simulating an atmospheric boundary layer in a wind tunnel.” Atmosph. Envir., 3, 197–214.
7.
Cowan, I. R., Castro, I. P., and Robins, A. G. (1997). “Numerical considerations for simulations of flow and dispersion around buildings.” J. Wind Engrg. Ind. Aero., 67/68, 535–545.
8.
Djilali, N., Gartshore, M., and Salcudean. (1991). “Turbulent flow around a rectangular flat plate. Part II: Numerical predictions.” J. Fluids Engrg., 113, 60–67.
9.
Hall, R. C. (1997). “Evaluating modelling uncertainty.” Proj. EMU Final Rep. under EU Contract EV5V-CT94-0531, European Union, Brussels, Belgium.
10.
Heist, D. K., and Castro, I. P. (1998). “Combined laser-Doppler and cold wire anemometry for turbulent heat flux measurement.” Expmt. in Fluids, 24, 375–381.
11.
Leschziner, M. A., and Rodi. W. (1981). “Calculation of annular and twin parallel jets using various discretisation schemes and turbulence model variations.” J. Fluids Engrg., 103, 352–360.
12.
Macdonald H. F., Foster, P. M., Thompson, I. M. G., and Robins, A. G. (1988). “Improved estimates of external gamma dose rates in the environs of Hinkley Point Power Station.” CEGB Rep. RD/B/6027/R88, British Energy, London.
13.
Murakami, S. (1993). “Comparison of various turbulence models applied to a bluff body.” J. Wind Engrg. Ind. Aero., 46/47, 21–36.
14.
Obasaju, E. D., and Robins, A. G. (1998). “Simulation of pollution dispersion using small-scale physical models and assessment of scaling options.” Envir. Mon. and Assess., 52, 239–254.
15.
Paterson, D. A., and Apelt, C. J. (1986). “Computation of wind flows over three-dimensional buildings.” J. Wind Engrg. Ind. Aero., 24, 193–213.
16.
Robins, A. G. (1979). “The development and structure of simulated neutrally stable atmospheric boundary layers.” J. Ind. Aero., 4, 71–100.
17.
Robins, A. G. (1980). “Wind tunnel modelling of buoyant emissions.” Studies in Envir. Sci., 8, 117–124.
18.
Zhang, Z. Q., and Huber, A. H. (1993). “Numerical simulation to determine the effects of Arya SPS and Snyder WH wind shear and turbulence level on the flow around a building.” J. Wind Engrg. Ind. Aero., 46, 129–134.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 12Issue 4October 1999
Pages: 145 - 160

History

Received: Mar 1, 1999
Published online: Oct 1, 1999
Published in print: Oct 1999

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Prof. of Fluid Dyn. and Dir., Envir. Flow Res. Ctr. (EnFlo), School of Mech. and Mat. Engrg., University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 5XH, U.K.
Sr. Consult., WS Atkins Consultants, Ltd., Woodcote Grove, Ashley Rd., Epsom KT18 5BW, U.K.
Prof. of Envir. Fluid Mech. and Assoc. Dir., EnFlo, School of Mech. and Mat. Engrg., Univ. of Surrey, Guildford, U.K.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share