Wind Tunnel Experiments on Interference Effects of a High-Rise Building on the Surrounding Low-Rise Buildings in an Urban Block

Abstract

High-rise buildings cause accelerated winds around them. However, the interference effects of high-rise buildings on the surrounding low-rise buildings in urban blocks have not been evaluated. This study investigated the wind pressure coefficients on the roofs and walls of low-rise buildings surrounding a high-rise building through wind tunnel experiments. Seventy-two wind directions were considered from 0° to 355° in 5° increments, and the influence of the wind direction on the wind pressure coefficients of surrounding buildings was evaluated. At a 30° wind direction angle, the positive and negative peak wind pressure coefficients occurred in a low-rise building at the leeward side of the high-rise building. The positive peak pressure, approximately 1.4 times that without a nearby high-rise building, occurred at the windward corner on the front wall of a low-rise building. The negative peak value, approximately three times that without a nearby high-rise building, was observed at the windward edge on the roof of a low-rise building. Thus, accelerated winds caused by high-rise buildings may result in unexpected damage to the surrounding low-rise buildings.