Using computational fluid dynamics to improve the drag coefficient estimates for tall buildings under wind loading

Wind is the main horizontal force acting on tall buildings. This force is proportional to the drag coefficient. The drag coefficient is an important factor in their structural design. Designers have historically relied upon experimental wind tunnel results to estimate the drag coefficient. However, this process is both expensive and time consuming. In this study, we alternatively computed the drag coefficient (apart from the pressure, force, and bending moment) using computational fluid dynamics for a typical 93‐m‐high residential building. The simulation considers the actual building geometry, as well as the neighborhood roughness effects. We compared these results with the conventional estimates contained in the Brazilian code NBR‐6123/1988 and Eurocode EC1. The results indicated that the pressures obtained herein near the top of the building were lower compared to those obtained using conventional estimation methods given in codes. Comparatively, the obtained bending moment relative to the base of the building was higher, indicating the existence of significant drag forces not considered in codes. In fluid dynamics simulations, the drag coefficient is determined for each terrain condition. Computational fluid dynamics can effectively simulate the drag force and resultant forces in the direction of the flow, as well as the vortices that result during coating detachment and other types of damage.