Wind effects on permeable tall building envelopes: Issues and potentialities

A comprehensive conclusion about the effects of wind on permeable building envelopes (PBEs) remains elusive. The external layer permeability, the gap width, and the internal compartmentations are only a few of the many potential influencing parameters that complicate the study of the fluid-dynamic system that results from creating internal cavities connected to the building exterior. This project sheds light on the aerodynamic behavior of permeable envelopes of tall buildings, focusing on the possible external/ internal flow interaction that may strongly influence the overall system. Results from experiments show that a remarkable aerodynamic interaction can occur. This stresses the importance of an iterative dialogue between the experts involved in the design process of such permeable façades and, at the same time, it offers new possibilities related to the control of the complex aerodynamic effects that a PBE can create. © 2019, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. All rights reserved.