CFD Simulation Analysis of the Influence of Floor Area Ratio on the Wind Environment in Residential Districts

Abstract

The floor area ratio (FAR) in residential districts in China has been expanding continuously as a response to the rapid urbanization and increasing demands for buildings. Consequently, the wind environment in residential districts begins to affect the outdoor comfort of residents. Simulation cases of residential buildings with different FARs were presented in this study to disclose the relationship between FAR and the wind environment in residential districts. First, the wind environment characteristics of residential districts with different FARs were established via computer numerical simulation. Second, wind speed ratio (WSR) and air age distribution were calculated at pedestrian height. Finally, the quantitative relationship between outdoor wind environment and FAR in residential districts was concluded. Results demonstrate a negative linear relationship between FAR and the average WSR (AWSR) in outdoor environment but a positive linear relationship between FAR and average air age. The AWSR in residential areas is decreased by 0.18 and the average air of age is increased by 53.38 s when FAR is increased from 0.63 to 2.32. In other words, increasing FAR in residential areas can decrease the AWSR but increase the average air age, thereby influencing the outdoor comfort of residents. This study provides references to improving wind environment and planning layout in residential districts with high FARs.

Review on pollutant dispersion in urban areas-part A: Effects of mechanical factors and urban morphology

“…10 (e), the average wind speed ratio at the pedestrian level decreased with an increase in the FAD, causing the accumulation of pollutants. A similar phenomenon was also observed by Li et al [175] and Bentham and Britter [176]. Accordingly, there is a positive correlation between the FAD and pollutant concentration for urban arrays, as shown in Fig.…”

Field measurement and numerical simulation of the relationship between the vertical wind environment and building morphology in residential areas in Xi’an, China

“…They found that the ventilation efficiency in the pedestrian area is significantly related to the ED of the buildings and the green space, and that a 10% increase in SVF can raise the WSR by 7%~8% (Yang F, 2013). Li et al studied the correlation of the FAR with the ventilation efficiency of residential areas, and reported that when the FAR rises from 0.63 to 2.32, the mean WSR of residential area declines by 0.18 (Li L, 2018). This paper mainly discusses the influence of building morphology index on ventilation efficiency of residential areas, from pedestrian height and vertical direction.…”