Wind Effects of Surrounding Structures in Urban Area on a High-Rise Building by Computational Fluid Dynamics

Wind design aims to ensure the stability, safety, and durability of a structure exposed to wind forces. Therefore, a comparative study using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was conducted to evaluate the effects of surrounding structures in wind building design. Two scenarios were analyzed: the first, in which the building was exposed to an open field, and the second, in which the building was surrounded by other buildings of equal or lower height. A CFD model, previously calibrated with experimental data, was used to simulate wind behavior. The results obtained showed significant differences between the two scenarios, confirming that nearby structures have a considerable impact on the distribution of wind pressures on the building. Therefore, the importance of considering surrounding buildings is highlighted. It is suggested that CFD can be a useful complementary tool for obtaining pressure coefficients and for the detailed analysis of wind behavior, which could improve the design and safety of buildings under wind loads.