Blockage Correction of Group Tall Building Models in Wind Tunnel Test

Abstract:

A blockage correction method for group tall building models in the wind tunnel test is proposed based on the wake area method (WAM) applicable to the single tall building model. First, the flow patterns of group buildings and the basic assumptions are demonstrated. Then, the correction formula of the blockage effect is derived to extend WAM to the group building arrangement with two or more buildings. Finally, the parameters in the formula are fitted using the test results of typical group building arrangement, such as two and three square tall buildings with the same height, in the uniform flow. The method proposed is verified by the correction of the mean pressure coefficients of the target building in different cases. The WAM for group buildings can meet the needs of construction projects with high accuracy.

Key words:blockage effect; wind tunnel test; tall buildings; correction method