A Self-Learning Manual - Institution of Engineers Mauritius

A Self-Learning Manual
Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q&A Method) Vincent T. H. CHU
14. What is the mechanism of formation of pedestrian level winds
around buildings?
When a building blocks the wind blowing across it, part of the wind will
escape over the top of the building. Some will pass around the edges of the
building while a majority of the wind will get down to the ground. The
channeling effect of wind for an escaping path, together with the high wind
speeds associated with higher elevations, generates high wind speeds in
the region at the base of the building. At the base level of the building,
there are three locations of strong pedestrian level winds:
(i) Arcade passages – wind flow is generated by the pressure difference
between the front and the back of the building.
(ii) At the front of the building – high wind is produced by standing vortex.
(iii) At the corners of the building – high wind is induced by corner flow.
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