Flow simulation

Flow simulation

Flow simulations point out how air currents and temperature stratifications originate in the building. To plan atriums, halls and large rooms without this method means a big risk for the investor. With the help of a flow simulation, designs can thus be modified early on. For the computation and visualisation of the flow conditions, we not only use TAS but also the 3D-CFD-Software Phoenics from CHAM ltd.

The comfort and the indoor climate of a building are crucial for its success. This applies for all buildings, from a single-family dwelling in passive construction method up to the big event hall. On the basis of your design, we can clear up, for example, already before start of construction work whether there will be a draft in the food gastronomy area of your planned atrium. Thus, you can modify your design on time.

The flow simulation offers insight into the dynamics of the air movement in big buildings. This is always interesting when high air spaces have to be planned over several floors or if on account of the planned use of the building the danger is given by draught. Interior currents can be calculated and controlled and designed through innovative concepts. We analyse the effects of big glass surfaces on the comfort feeling of the person for you. Essential improvements can be achieved here by the specific placement of building engineering facilities, the right choice of the glazing or small adaptations with the form of the facade. We also analyse the air stream around the building so that you can already have a positive influence on the stay comforts outdoors through the arrangement and shape of a building complex. Complex aerodynamic issues, such as natural ventilation in high-rise buildings, are challenging tasks which we gladly face. Our references, such as the Kreishaus Siegen, show that we were able to realize very innovative approaches to the highest user satisfaction.

The two common applications of CFD are flows around entire buildings or groups of buildings, in particular wind load research for facades and roofs. Wind loads play an increasingly important role in the planning for the support structures are getting lighter and the stresses from storms increasingly bigger. We have a wealth of experience with long-span glass roofs over atriums and malls, which we have not only statically optimised, but for which we also have developed complex thermal solutions.

For the second big application field of the simulations, the currents of the indoor air, we calculate air velocities and temperatures, depending on the position and type of air inlet and outlet openings. Thermal loads or thermal radiation within the rooms often also play a role that we consider accordingly.

Results of our flow simulation

  • Minimisation of the risk of draught
  • Improvement of the thermal comfort
  • Testing the efficacy of ventilation concepts
  • Optimisation of heating and cooling systems
  • Computation of flow speeds
  • Determination of building aerodynamics

References (selection)

  • Leica Camera Foyer - Leitz-Park, Wetzlar (Architects: Gruber + Kleine-Kraneburg, Frankfurt am Main)
  • LanxessArena, Cologne (Architects: Wund, Böhm)
  • Peek & Cloppenburg, Cologne (Architects: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paris)
  • Kundenhalle Kreissparkasse, Heinsberg (Architect: Wolfgang Emondts, Hückelhoven)