Pedestrian-level wind environment around isolated buildings under the influence of twisted wind flows

The influence of twisted wind flows on pedestrian-level wind environments was evaluated by using two twisted wind profiles (TWP) in a boundary layer wind tunnel. Simulated wind profiles had maximum yaw angles of 13° and 22° to represent ‘high’ and ‘extreme’ wind twist conditions, respectively. Five buildings with the aspect ratio (Height: Width) of 4:1 to 0.5:1 were tested for a number of wind incidence angles to assess the influences of building dimensions and approaching wind directions. All test cases were repeated in a conventional wind profile (CWP) with similar mean wind speeds and turbulence intensities for the purpose of comparison. The results reveal that pedestrian-level wind environments in TWPs are different than in CWPs owe to asymmetric wind fields, displaced flow features, and variations in areas of high and low wind speeds. The increased areas of low wind speeds and displaced downstream far-field low wind speed (DFLWS) zone are the two important flow modifications that would have negative impacts on outdoor thermal comfort and air pollutant dispersion in built-up areas where TWPs exist. Due to the embedded wind twist angles, wind incidence angles have different effects on flow modifications in twisted wind profiles than in conventional wind profiles.