Research

Fluid mechanics is fundamentally important to the design of sustainable and resilient urban environments. The flow pattern in an urban canopy determines pedestrian wind and thermal comfort, air quality and optimal building ventilation strategies, and wind loading on buildings. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can provide a complete solution for the flow field in complex urban areas, thereby offering a unique tool to study these problems. However, significant variability and uncertainty in the operating and design conditions complicates using the results as a basis for design decisions.

Our research aims to establish validated modeling frameworks that can quantify the uncertainty in CFD simulation results,  and support designers and policy makers in the design of sustainable building and cities. Our research projects are centered around establishing these frameworks for applications in wind loading, natural ventilation, and urban flow and pollutant dispersion.