Performance-Based Design
We use Computational Fluid Dynamics to test ideas and prototype options, to troubleshoot existing solutions and to add value to projects by exploring sensitivities and demonstrating an optimised design. Detecting problems, improving performance and identifying areas to reduce capital and running costs are valuable throughout the design process, from concept to detailed design.
Key Usage of CFD
CFD modelling is a multidisciplinary tool with typical applications for the built environment, including ventilation for occupant comfort and safety, the impact of tall buildings on local microclimates, dispersion of pollutants, aero-acoustic fan design and other issues relating to fluid flow.
Typical examples include effective natural ventilation concepts for green building design, CO fume and smoke exposure analysis in parking ventilation systems, cooling strategies for data centre equipment, smoke control solutions for tunnels, residential and retail atria, bridge pile erosion due to scouring, aero-acoustic redesign of fan ducts to reduce need for silencers and thermal comfort for occupants using HVAC.
The performance of a ventilation system is an important part of occupants’ experience of a building. CFD is commonly used to demonstrate ventilation solutions for complex public buildings such as schools, stadia, museums, train stations, tunnels and offices, demonstrating what comfortable temperatures and air speeds can be maintained, and optimising the overall strategy where it can.
External airflow modelling assesses the impact of wind around planned developments at pedestrian and terrace levels. It can also be used to determine how external pollutants might spread around a building, and whether there is a risk of expelled flue gases being re-entrained.
