This study aimed to evaluate the wind environment in step-up and step-down urban canyons through a computational numerical experiment using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Spatial structural conditions were considered according to the location of high-rise buildings, and the changing wind patterns inside canyons were compared and analyzed by varying the building heights. Under the step-up to step-down condition, wind velocity inside the canyon weakened, a vertical vortex formed, and vertical air flow separated; additionally, in shallow and deep canyons, wind velocity and detailed flow differed slightly according to each additional condition. For the step-down to step-up condition, the building located in the center appeared to be isolated, and a general wind environment phenomenon consistent with the step-up and step-down structures was observed. However, depending on the isolated area, an additional roof-top canyon was formed, and the wind field in the canyon was found to affect the wind velocity and detailed flow in other canyons. The wind velocity components of the inflow and outflow winds into the canyon differed based on the step-up to step-down or step-down to step-up conditions, and according to the conditions in the first and second canyons. Furthermore, the vertical wind velocity components were greatly affected by the step-up and step-down structures. Accordingly, the height and structural location of the building could affect various phenomena, such as the separation of vortices and air currents inside the canyon, and a variable wind environment was formed according to a series of conditions for the building.

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In this study, the wind environment in an urban area near Sungneymun gate was numerically investigated in the cases of inflow directions. The wind fields for the target area were simulated using Geographic Information System data and Computational Fluid Dynamics model. Results, including vector fields, three-dimensional wind velocity components, and wind speeds, were analyzed to examine flow characteristics. Wind direction variability affected by buildings was shown in the target area. The complex flows around Sungneymun did not depend on the inflow direction as a boundary condition. The wind speed around Sungneymun was generally 3 times stronger at 14 m above ground level (AGL) compared to the surface wind at 2 m AGL and relatively high in the case of easterly inflow. The effect of wind was also analyzed to be relatively significant at the southeast side of Sungneymun. Thus, it was suggested that the assessment of wind environment affected by high-rise and high-density buildings should be necessary for the architectural heritage in urban areas.

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