Investigating the effect of building geometry on outdoor wind flow performance in residential complexes

Open space in residential complexes is a context for the generation of social relations along with environmental performance. Thermal comfort and appropriate architectural features attract people to these spaces. Airflow is one of the most fundamental parameters of outdoor thermal comfort, which is influenced by various factors, including the geometry of buildings. The present study investigated the effect of geometric modifications of buildings on wind flow pattern around the blocks in a residential complex. The case study is a residential complex consisting of 9 midrise blocks. The geometric shape of the blocks was modified and simulated in three steps and the effect of these modifications on the outdoor wind performance was evaluated. The main research method was descriptive analytical method with numerical simulation strategy and analysis of the results was conducted by logical reasoning. The models were simulated in Ansys Airpak 3.0.16 and their results were presented in the form of quantitative outputs, graphic contours as well as several charts. The results of numerical simulations proved the effect of building geometry on the outdoor wind flow pattern around the buildings. The results indicated an increase of 13.83% and 6.76% in average and maximum outdoor air velocity under the influence of buildings geometry modification. Among the studied geometries, the T-shaped form with proper wind flow conduction improved wind behavior in inter-block and inter-row domains. However, L-shaped forms (M3 model) significantly reduced the flow velocity in the inter-block areas by blocking the wind flow.