CFD predictions of microclimate and air quality in real urban structures - Potential and challenges

by Prof. Muhamed Hadziabdic (Intl. University of Sarajevo)

Thursday 13 Jun 2024, 13:30 → 14:30 Europe/Zurich

OHSA/E

Abstract:
Understanding microclimate in urban areas is becoming one of the central issues of urban planning, as well as air quality planning. Microclimates arise due to variations in the type and shape of the terrain, vegetation and human activities, and urban structures, creating unique atmospheric conditions that can differ significantly from the wider regional climate. This localized climate can significantly affect temperature, humidity, wind patterns and air quality, with implications for all aspects of urban life, from energy consumption to public health. Variations in wind patterns and atmospheric dispersion can lead to localized hotspots of air pollution, exacerbating health risks to residents.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has emerged as a powerful tool for the study and analysis of complex fluid flow phenomena, including those found in urban environments. In the field of urban planning and design, CFD offers enormous potential for understanding air flow patterns, pollutant dispersion and optimization of urban space. By simulating air flow within urban canyons, around buildings and through streets, CFD can provide valuable insights into microclimatic conditions. This includes predicting variations in wind speed and direction, identifying areas of reduced natural ventilation, and estimating the level of thermal comfort for pedestrians. In addition, CFD enables the estimation of pollutant dispersion in urban areas. By modeling emissions and transport from various sources such as vehicle emissions, industrial plants, and construction sites, CFD can help assess the effectiveness of pollution reduction strategies.

Despite its potential, applying CFD to predict microclimatic conditions is a challenging task. Urban areas abound with complex geometries, heterogeneous surfaces, and a large number of urban structures that must be modeled, which require high-resolution simulations and significant computing resources. The physics of air flow in urban configurations is very complex and requires sophisticated mathematical models of turbulence, transport, transformation and deposition of pollutants in order to achieve reliable and meaningful results. Finally, the interpretation and analysis of the results and their visualization are of crucial importance for the successful use of CFD in the process of urban planning and design.

Bio:
Prof. Dr. Muhamed Hadžiabdić graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He obtained his PhD in 2006 at Section for Thermal and Fluid Sciences, Faculty of Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), The Netherlands. After completion of two-year post-doctoral study at Kramers Laboratorium, Department of Multi-Scale Physics, TU Delft, he has returned to his hometown Sarajevo. From 2007 till present, he has been working at International University of Sarajevo, in the Department of Engineering. His research interests include turbulence modeling with heat transfer by means of RANS and hybrid LES/RANS approach, flow control, urban flows with focus on pollutant dispersion. He co-authored publications in high-impact journals including Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Physics of Fluids.