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.