FORCE Technology’s background and long experience within physical and computational modelling are major advantages in understanding and interpreting the results obtained by CWE.

The Blue Planet Aquarium 

In March 2013 the new national Aquarium of Denmark – The Blue Planet – opened in Copenhagen. With a location on the brink of Oresund and a unique architectural shape, it was necessary to know the wind loads on the building and wind climate in the surrounding outdoor areas. In connection with the planning of the new aquarium, FORCE Technology was engaged by the architect to perform a CFD simulation of the wind flow around the building. 

By determining the flow behaviour, including pressure and velocity fields, you get a good basis for diagnosing inappropriate flow conditions and determining possible requirements for optimization or modifications. To obtain a thorough determination of the flow distribution, we performed CFD simulations at various wind velocities, and a total of 8 wind directions covered the wind 360 degrees around the building. 

Wind conditions around housing developments 

Pedestrian wind comfort plays a major role when planning new buildings and housing developments in urban areas, and many city authorities have requirements for study of wind comfort.

The below example shows how CFD was used to evaluate the wind conditions at a planned housing development. Especially the wind conditions at ground level in a pedestrian passage and a recreation area in the vicinity of a 45m high building have been of concern. Based on statistical meteorological data for the specific area, the most frequent wind directions and wind velocities were selected for investigation of the wind conditions. A CFD analysis made it possible to gain detailed information on the wind conditions and evaluate the pedestrian wind comfort in the area.

Petrobras offshore platform 

FORCE Technology was requested by Petrobras, Brazil, to carry out CFD simulations to evaluate helicopter operations at an offshore platform. CFD was applied to predict turbulence levels and determine temperature gradients due to exhaust gasses and flares on the offshore platform. This is crucial for helicopter operations which are highly dependent on local temperature gradients and turbulence levels. The results of the CFD investigations were evaluated and compared to international guidelines for safe helicopter operations (e.g. CAP437), and thereby potential restrictions on helideck operations were identified. 
Additionally, the dispersion of exhaust gasses can be analyzed, and the exhaust funnel performance can be evaluated and optimized with the aim of avoiding smoke nuisance, for example in working areas and intakes for ventilation. 

Typical examples of application are prediction of wind comfort, dispersion of pollutants and wind loading on structures. We provide consultancy services related to CWE within the following main areas: 

  • buildings (wind loads, ventilation) 
  • offshore aerodynamics (wind loads on offshore platforms, gas dispersion, evaluation of helicopter operations, etc.) 
  • maritime aerodynamics (wind loads on ships, gas dispersion, evaluation of helicopter operations, etc.) 
  • landscapes (siting assessment, etc.) 
  • urban landscapes (pedestrian wind comfort, dispersion of pollutants, etc.)