CFD analysis of the impact of geometrical characteristics of building balconies on near-facade wind flow and surface pressure

The presence of building balconies can significantly modify the near-facade wind flow pattern and surface pressures. The present study evaluates the impact of building balcony geometry on mean wind speed on balcony spaces and wind-induced mean surface pressure for generic high-rise buildings. The focus is on balconies that extend along the entire width of the building facade. Large-eddy simulations (LES), validated with wind tunnel experiments, are conducted to investigate the impact of (i) balconies present or not, (ii) balcony depth, (iii) balcony parapet walls, (iv) balcony partition walls, and (v) density of balconies. The results indicate that the balcony geometry can greatly affect the mean wind speed on balcony spaces and the local and facade-averaged mean pressure coefficient (Cp). The presence of balconies can increase the facade-averaged Cp over the windward and leeward facades by 5.2% and 8.9%, respectively. These numbers rise to 23.5% and 23.3% when two partition walls are added at the lateral edges of the facades. Adding five partition walls can reduce the overall areaaveraged wind speed on balcony spaces by 68.0% compared to the case without partition walls. These findings can be useful in developing, designing and constructing buildings with facade geometrical details that improve building ventilation, air quality and wind comfort.