Infrastructure Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemOptimising the computational domain size in CFD simulations of tall buildings(Elsevier, 2021-04-01)Recently, there has been a growing interest in utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for wind resistant design of tall buildings. A key factor that influences the accuracy and computational expense of CFD simulations is the size of the computational domain. In this paper, the effect of the computational domain on CFD predictions of wind loads on tall buildings is investigated with a series of sensitivity studies. Four distinct sources of domain error are identified which include wind-blocking effects caused by short upstream length, flow recirculation due to insufficient downstream length, global venturi effects due to large blockage ratios, and local venturi effects caused by insufficient clearance between the building and top and lateral domain boundaries. Domains based on computational wind engineering guidelines are found to be overly conservative when applied to tall buildings, resulting in uneconomic grids with a large cell count. A framework for optimizing the computational domain is proposed which is based on monitoring sensitivity of key output metrics to variations in domain dimensions. The findings of this paper help inform modellers of potential issues when optimizing the computational domain size for tall building simulations.
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ItemDesign of a smart prefabricated sanitising chamber for COVID-19 using computational fluid dynamics(Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Press, 2021-02-23)The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread at an unprecedented rate, resulting in a global pandemic (COVID-19) that has strained healthcare systems and claimed many lives. Front-line healthcare workers are among the most at risk of contracting and spreading the virus due to close contact with infected patients and settings of high viral loads. To provide these workers with an extra layer of protection, the authors propose a low-cost, prefabricated, and portable sanitising chamber that sprays individuals with sanitising fluid to disinfect clothing and external surfaces on their person. The study discusses computer-aided design of the chamber to improve uniformity of sanitiser deposition and reduce discomfort due to excessive moisture. Advanced computational fluid dynamics is used to simulate the dispersion and deposition of spray particle, and the resulting wetting pattern on the treated person is used to optimise the chamber design.