A numerical study on the aerodynamic performance of building cross-sections using corner modifications

Abstract A numerical investigation is performed in this work in order to evaluate the aerodynamic performance of building cross-section configurations by using corner modifications. The CAARC tall building model is utilized here as reference geometry, which is reshaped considering chamfered and recessed corners. The numerical scheme adopted in this work is presented and simulations are carried-out to obtain the wind loads on the building structures by means of aerodynamic coefficients as well as the flow field conditions near the model’s location. The explicit two-step Taylor-Galerkin scheme is employed in the context of the finite element method, where eight-node hexahedral finite elements with one-point quadrature are used for spatial discretization. Turbulence is described using the LES methodology, with a dynamic sub-grid scale model. Predictions obtained here are compared with experimental and numerical investigations performed previously. Results show that the use of corner modifications can reduce significantly the aerodynamic forces on the building structures, improve flow conditions near the building locations and increase the Strouhal number, which may have an important influence on aeroelastic effects.