1. Large-scale flow structures across building clusters and the implication for microclimate control
Trajectory of rain drops, transportation of pollutant and effects of urban heat island, are all associated with large-scale complex flow structures in street canyons, over building roofs and across building clusters. While dynamics of flow structures in a single street canyon (as shown in the figure) has been examined extensively by the research community, understanding of spatial and temporal characteristics of non-isothermal flows in street canyons and across building clusters is still limited. Insights into the characteristics of the flows are crucial for proposing guidelines for mitigating urban heat island effect and improving microclimate.
Keywords
Wind tunnel measurements, Particle image velocimetry (PIV), Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
Labels
Master Thesis
Description
Dynamics of flows across building clusters are mainly affected by geometrical feature of buildings, thermal conditions of building façades and configurations of street canyons. To understand the complex influence of those factors, experimental investigations will be implemented using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and thermal field measurements in wind tunnel at EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf). Scaled-down buildings and temperature controllable façades will be adopted in measurements. Flow structures and temperature profiles in non-isothermal street canyons of various representative configurations are expected to be revealed in the project.
Goals and tasks
- Design experimental measurement matrix using scaling laws
- Implement PIV and temperature field measurements
- Perform analysis with the experimental data and conclude implications
Contact details
Please contact Dr. Yongling Zhao () for further information.