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Numerical simulation of the influence of building-tree arrangements on wind velocity and PM2.5 dispersion in urban communities

  • Fan Li
  • , Matteo Rubinato*
  • , Tao Zhou
  • , Jiaye Li
  • , Chen Chen
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Dongguan University of Technology
  • Coventry University
  • Chongqing University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Airflow behavior and outdoor PM2.5 dispersion depend significantly on the building-tree layouts and orientation towards the prevailing wind conditions. To investigate this issue, the present work evaluates the aerodynamic effect of different building-tree layouts on the outdoor PM2.5 dispersions in the urban communities of Shijiazhuang City, China. The adopted numerical CFD technique was based on the standard k–ε model and the Disperse Phase Model (DPM). For this study, ten different building-tree arrangements were conceptualized and all these configurations were simulated by using Ansys Fluent software to quantify the implications on the outdoor PM2.5 dispersion due to their presence. The results have shown that: (1) a wide building interval space could benefit the air ventilation and thus decrease PM2.5 concentrations, however, this effectiveness is highly influenced by the presence of the trees; (2) the trees on the leeward side of a building tend to increase the local wind velocity and decrease the pedestrian-level PM2.5 concentrations, while those on the windward side tend to decrease the wind velocity. The small distance with trees in the central space of the community forms a wind shelter, hindering the particle dispersion; and (3) the configuration of parallel type buildings with clustered tree layouts in the narrow central space is most unfavorable to the air ventilation, leading to larger areas affected by excessive PM2.5 concentration.
Original languageEnglish
Article number16378
Number of pages13
JournalScientific Reports
Volume12
Early online date30 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

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UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  2. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  3. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action

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