Linking CFD and Wind Tunnel Testing in Building Engineering

Abstract

Building and wind interaction problems range from structural problems, such as wind loads and wind vibration acting on buildings, to environmental problems, such as pedestrian wind comfort and the dispersion of heat and pollutants in urban areas. This paper outlines the current status and challenges of collaboration between CFD and wind tunnel technology in the building engineering. There are four possible forms of collaboration: (1) use of wind tunnel test results for validation of CFD, (2) use of wind tunnel tests for upgrading and improving CFD models, (3) complementing each other's scales, and (4) use of CFD to make wind tunnel tests more efficient and advanced. It is important to understand the characteristics of each method and to use them in a complementary manner.