Case studies on Wind comfort analysis

Hard Rock Hotel in Malta

This case study aims to assess the comfort of guests in designated relaxation areas, with a focus on wind conditions.

Key parameters are:

> Wind Speed: 15 m/s

> Wind Direction: 330° (North-Northwest)

The relaxation area, positioned on the southern side, appears to be well-protected from northern winds.

Figure 1 illustrates airspeed distribution, with red areas showing air speeds above 2 m/s, considered within the comfort range. The analysis confirms that the relaxation area provides good comfort against simulated wind conditions.

Figure 1: Simulation results. Courtesy of FM Ingegneria.

Comparison vs Wind Tunnel measurements

Using VENTO AEC, CFD simulations were conducted using parameters from the study “Cooperative project for CFD prediction of pedestrian wind environment in the Architectural Institute of Japan¹”.

Figure 2 provides an overview of the simulation model and its associated conditions, while Figure 3 shows a top view of the same model, centered on the tall building, with measurement points from the Wind Tunnel test indicated by dotted lines.

The simulation conducted with VENTO AEC was executed in two stages, utilizing progressively complex meshes. The comparative results of the analysis are presented in Figure 4.

Key parameters:

> wind intensity 6.6 m/s

> wind direction 0 deg

> buildings height 2.5 cm

> tower height 25 cm

scaled model 1:400

Figure 2: Simulation model and conditions

Figure 3: Top view of the model, with measurement points from Wind Tunnel test

Figure 4: Comparison results between Wind Tunnel test (black) and VENTO AEC simulations using meshes of growing complexity (bue and red lines)

¹ R. Yoshie et al., Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 2007.