Flow and Dispersion Phenomena in a Simplified Urban Square

Authors

  • Márton Balczó
    Affiliation
    Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Fluid Mechanics
  • Tamás Lajos
    Affiliation
    Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Fluid Mechanics
https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.7852

Abstract

The paper deals with wind conditions and air pollutant dispersion in urban squares. We focus on the phenomenological description of principal flow phenomena appearing in squares and on the understanding of basic transport mechanisms. For this purpose a simplified square with rectangular layout was investigated by means of wind tunnel tests applying sand erosion technique and tracer gas concentration measurements. The MISKAM CFD model was used to simulate flow and dispersion at various wind directions. The analysis of results allowed the identification of flow structures appearing in the square, the interaction of which is responsible for the inhomogeneous wind speed and concentration distribution in the square. Most importantly, separation zones of buildings located on the upstream side of the square cause low local wind speeds and strong vertical pollutant transport. Separation zones in front of the downstream building blocks induce higher local wind speeds and improve the removal of pollutants.

Keywords:

urban square, flow structures, pollutant dispersion, wind tunnel, sand erosion, CFD

Citation data from Crossref and Scopus

Published Online

2015-05-19

How to Cite

Balczó, M., Lajos, T. “Flow and Dispersion Phenomena in a Simplified Urban Square”, Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, 59(3), pp. 347–360, 2015. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.7852

Issue

Section

Research Article